By Sodiq Adelakun
The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin has called on residents of Lagos to prioritise cleanliness as a daily habit, extending it beyond special occasions and festivities.
In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, Dr. Gbadegesin congratulated the Muslim community on the conclusion of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
He emphasised the importance of personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness, highlighting these as integral teachings of Islam that should be ingrained in the daily lives of residents beyond the Ramadan period.
According to Dr. Gbadegesin, Islam advocates for cleanliness at the personal, household, and environmental levels, emphasising the disdain for filth and dirtiness in Islamic teachings.
“Islam teaches cleanliness at the personal level, at home and the environment. Islam abhors filth and dirtiness anywhere around us.
“I appeal that we make this great teaching a permanent feature of our daily lives and living. Whatever we put into the environment is what it will give back.
“Therefore, let us maintain good hygiene at the domestic front as well as the larger environment, all for our own good,” Gbadegesin said.
In his message to the Muslim faithful, Dr. Gbadegesin emphasised the importance of avoiding careless waste disposal at street corners, road medians, sidewalks, and other unauthorised locations. He cautioned that LAWMA’s enforcement personnel are on high alert and ready to apprehend defaulters for immediate prosecution.
Dr. Gbadegesin assured residents that the Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators would continue to operate efficiently, with LAWMA providing backup services where needed. Additionally, he urged motorists to drive cautiously to ensure the safety of sanitation workers on major roads during the festivities.
Furthermore, Dr. Gbadegesin appealed to residents to promptly report any service gaps to LAWMA’s customer care for swift intervention, underscoring the agency’s commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for all Lagosians.