Lagos cracks down on open defecation, arrests 52 offenders in 10 days

By Sodiq Adelakun

In a bid to eradicate open defecation and promote a cleaner environment, the Lagos State Government has arrested 52 persons in the past 10 days for engaging in open defecation in various parts of the metropolis.

The arrests were made by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) as part of the state government’s efforts to enforce environmental laws and regulations.

According to the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the offenders were arrested for environmental infractions such as open defecation and urination along the Berger area and environs.

“We will not tolerate open defecation in Lagos. We have trained public toilet operators on new sanitation techniques and operations for efficient service delivery in the state. We will prosecute anyone engaging in open defecation,” Wahab said.

The state government has also rolled out a comprehensive operational guideline to guide the operation of public toilets in the state and has decided to construct 100 units of public toilets across strategic locations in the state to bridge the infrastructural gap.

In addition, the government has commenced enforcement against environmental degradation and has vowed to prosecute individuals engaging in open defecation and other environmental nuisances.

“We will deal decisively with anyone engaging in open defecation. We have developed a four-cardinal point roadmap to address open defecation in the state,” said, Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu.