The Lagos State Government has launched a cleanliness competition among its 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas. The initiative aims to identify and reward the cleanest council in the state, promoting environmental sanitation and healthier communities. The competition is part of the government's efforts to strengthen environmental sanitation and discourage indiscriminate waste disposal. Residents are urged to sustain the cleanliness drive beyond the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The Wife of the Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, disclosed the competition while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ikorodu. She urged residents to intensify their sanitation efforts and position their area to emerge as the cleanest council in the state. Sanwo-Olu commended the turnout and active participation of residents, particularly children, youths, market traders, and environmental sanitation workers. She stressed that public sensitisation is crucial to the campaign, requiring sustained engagement and collective commitment.
Sanwo-Olu emphasised that residents must adopt proper sanitation practices in their homes, schools, markets, and communities. She noted that keeping Lagos clean cannot be left to the government alone, requiring collective action from residents. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, and other officials participated in the exercise. The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials also joined in, demonstrating the government's commitment to environmental sanitation.
The state government has warned residents against dumping refuse into canals and drainage channels. The practice obstructs water flow, undermines sanitation efforts, and heightens the risk of flooding. The Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, gave the warning during the October edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. He described indiscriminate waste disposal as a major obstacle to the state's efforts to maintain a clean and flood-resilient environment.
Agoro urged local government chairmen and their executives to intensify community mobilisation and ensure greater public participation. He expressed concern that government officials had observed some residents dumping refuse into canals during the exercise, despite ongoing public enlightenment campaigns. The Ministry of the Environment has been notified to clear affected canals, and arrangements are being made to reconstruct one of the canals in the area.
The Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mr. Akeem Dauda, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for sustaining the monthly sanitation exercise. He described it as an important platform for mobilising residents and promoting environmental responsibility. The sanitation exercise in Ikeja covered several streets, demonstrating the government's commitment to cleanliness. Dauda noted that the council had been sensitising residents on the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal.
The Lagos State Government's efforts to promote environmental sanitation and cleanliness have received commendations from residents and officials. The monthly sanitation exercise has become a crucial platform for mobilising residents and promoting environmental responsibility. The competition among councils is expected to encourage residents to take ownership of their environment and adopt proper sanitation practices. The government has warned that it will continue to intervene if residents do not take responsibility for their waste disposal.
Key points
- The Lagos State Government has introduced a cleanliness competition among its 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.
- The competition aims to identify and reward the cleanest council in the state, promoting environmental sanitation and healthier communities.
- The government has warned residents against dumping refuse into canals and drainage channels, citing the risks of flooding and undermining sanitation efforts.
