Lagos Return of Monthly Environmental Sanitation Amid Waste Crisis

Lagos State is strongly considering the return of its monthly environmental sanitation exercise, suspended since 2016, as part of sweeping efforts to tackle worsening waste management and drainage issues.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Sunday during an inspection in Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago in Ojo Local Government Area. He revealed that the proposal is under active consideration by the State Executive Council (EXCO) and awaiting the Governor’s final approval.

“Lagos is strongly considering reintroducing the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Once approved by EXCO, the Governor will officially announce the re-launch. It’s long overdue,” Wahab said.

The exercise, formerly held every last Saturday of the month from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., was halted in November 2016 over concerns about movement restrictions in a growing megacity. However, with drainage blockages and illegal dumping surging, many residents and environmentalists have called for its revival.

As Sallah approaches, Wahab announced a zero-tolerance policy for livestock sales on highways:

“Livestock sellers must operate only within designated markets. Trading on highways is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Wahab also cited linking cart-pushers and illegal syndicates to persistent waste dumping in Idi-Araba, despite an existing ban on cart-pushing in Lagos.

He identified an abandoned dumpsite in the area still being used illegally and promised swift government intervention. Similarly, illegal trading under Daleko Bridge and road encroachments at Alaba Rago Market drew stern warnings.

“They’ve turned the median into a dumpsite and extended trading onto the roads. We’ve given them till Monday evening to comply. If they don’t, the market will be sealed,” Wahab warned.

At Orile-Iganmu, the commissioner ordered the immediate deployment of swamp buggies to clear the blocked Iganmu Channel, whose stormwater flow has been impaired by indiscriminate dumping.

Over 100 LAWMA trucks have been deployed to areas where private sector waste managers (PSPs) have been underperforming, Wahab said. Still, he urged residents to take responsibility by:

• Bagging waste properly at home
  
• Avoiding dumping on road medians and drains
  
• Patronizing licensed PSP operators
  

“We’re intervening where necessary, but residents must take ownership of infrastructure and stop illegal waste disposal,” he stressed.

Officials accompanying Wahab included: Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Drainage Services, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, MD, LAWMA, Major Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd), Corps Marshal, KAI, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, GM, LASWMO