The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting environmental cleanliness across the state, declaring that the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise is now a permanent initiative aimed at fostering a cleaner and healthier city.
The assurance was given during the second edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise held across Lagos on Saturday.
Leading the exercise in Alimosho Local Government Area was the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab; the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Rotimi Akodu; members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO); and other senior government officials.
Meanwhile, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, spearheaded monitoring activities in the Apapa axis alongside top government functionaries.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, Wahab commended the environmental efforts of Alimosho Local Government, describing it as one of the cleanest councils in the state.
“We observed that some local governments are exceptionally clean, and Alimosho appears to be one of them. The environment has been well maintained, and the local government has demonstrated commitment by deploying compactors to evacuate waste promptly,” he said.
The commissioner stressed the need for continuous public engagement and community participation to sustain environmental sanitation efforts.
He noted that despite recent festive celebrations, residents must remain committed to keeping their surroundings clean.
“Every last Saturday of the month has been designated as Lagos Environmental Sanitation Day. Regardless of festivities or public holidays, our responsibility to the environment remains paramount,” Wahab stated.
Addressing concerns about compliance, particularly among commercial transport operators and residents, the commissioner said the level of adherence was encouraging.
“In fairness, we observed very few commercial buses on the roads during the exercise. We have also continued to engage relevant stakeholders and sensitise residents on the importance of dedicating just two hours each month to cleaning their environment,” he added.
According to him, the government is focused on building a lasting culture of environmental responsibility among Lagosians rather than relying solely on enforcement measures.
“We are trying to create a dominant culture of cleanliness in Lagos State. Over time, we will assess the impact of these efforts and continue improving our approach,” he said.
Wahab also clarified that the government was not imposing movement restrictions but rather encouraging voluntary participation through sustained advocacy and public enlightenment.
“This initiative was suspended for nearly a decade. Reintroducing it in a state with a growing youth population requires effective communication and public buy-in. What we are promoting is conviction, not coercion,” he explained.
Corroborating the commissioner’s position, Head of Service Bode Agoro highlighted the health and social benefits of maintaining a clean environment.
“Nobody wants to live in a dirty environment. Clean surroundings contribute to healthier living and help reduce the spread of diseases. The cleaner our environment, the healthier and happier we will be,” Agoro said.
While acknowledging that environmental laws provide for sanctions against offenders, Agoro emphasized that the government’s primary objective is to encourage voluntary compliance.
“It is not about punishment; it is about changing behaviour. Although sanctions exist for environmental violations, our goal is to cultivate a society where people naturally understand that littering and indiscriminate waste disposal are unacceptable,” he stated.
The Lagos State Government has continued to intensify awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement as it seeks to entrench environmental consciousness and ensure a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable metropolis.
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