Lagos Revives Monthly Environmental Sanitation

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced the resumption of the Monthly Environmental Sanitation exercise, now scheduled for every last Saturday of the month from 6:30 am to 8:30 am, without movement restrictions.

The symbolic flag-off took place at the Olosa Bus Stop in Mushin, with the Governor, his Deputy Obafemi Hamzat, and other cabinet members participating in a clean-up exercise.

The initiative had been previously suspended following a court ruling against movement restrictions. It now resumes with less stringent rules on movement, though residents are still expected to participate. State officials will monitor compliance, and neighborhoods or markets that fail to engage may face sanctions.

The initiative aims to encourage civic responsibility and environmental cleanliness, urging residents to maintain their homes, surroundings, streets, and drainages. Meanwhile, LAWMA
officials are expected to collect and properly dispose of waste.

Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that maintaining a clean Lagos requires both government action and active citizen participation. He noted that while residents used to voluntarily keep their surroundings clean, their commitment declined after the exercise was suspended.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the exercise aligns with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda and seeks to educate residents on environmental ownership, improve public health, and promote sustainable sanitation. Communities that defy the directive may face penalties under the Lagos State 2017 Environmental Protection Law.

The T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda is Governor Sanwo-Olu’s development plan for Lagos, focusing on Traffic, Health & Environment, Education & Technology, Modernization, Entertainment & Tourism, and Security, with the “Plus” covering other priorities such as infrastructure and governance reforms.