Wahab tells Lagosians to stay indoors for sanitation

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has urged residents in all 5 divisions of Lagos State to remain at home between 6:30am and 8:30am on Saturday, April 25, to clean their surroundings as part of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

In a statement on Wednesday, Wahab said residents are expected to clear drains and tidy up areas in front of their homes before proceeding with other activities for the day.

He assured citizens that adequate logistics have been put in place for the exercise, noting that compactor and evacuation trucks have been deployed, with the Lagos Waste Management Authority positioned to promptly clear waste collected during the exercise.

The Lagos State Government has called on residents to actively participate in the sanitation exercise scheduled for Saturday, April 25, across the state.

To underscore the importance of the sanitation drive, the Commissioner disclosed that top government officials would monitor compliance across the state.

He said the First Lady, Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, alongside members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), would lead a monitoring team, while the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, would supervise another team in a separate local government area.

Wahab also noted that major transport unions have pledged to keep vehicles off the roads during the sanitation period, supporting efforts to ensure full compliance.

He explained that the reintroduction of the monthly sanitation exercise followed sustained calls from residents for a designated period to collectively clean their environment.

The Commissioner urged Community Development Associations (CDAs) to mobilise residents to ensure the success of the exercise, adding that local governments, Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), and private organisations are providing tools and logistics support.

He warned that environmental health officers and enforcement officials would be deployed to monitor compliance, stressing that defaulters risk sanctions under the Lagos State Environmental Management Law of 2017.

According to him, violators may be issued abatement notices and prosecuted in line with existing regulations.

The monthly sanitation exercise was reintroduced by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as part of efforts to promote environmental cleanliness and public health across the state.