Fatimah Otunsanya
The Lagos State Government has clarified operational details for the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise that resumes on April 25.
A statement on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, indicated that the exercise would be held on the last Saturday of every month between 6.30 am and 8.30 am, during which movement would be restricted for residents to clean their surroundings.
Wahab said, “The exercise will hold every last Saturday of the month between the hours of 6:30 am and 8:30 am. During this period, there will be controlled movement across the state to allow residents to carry out thorough cleaning of their homes, surroundings and drainage frontages.”
The clarification follows an earlier symbolic launch of the sanitation programme along the Mushin–Agege Motor Road corridor on March 14, ahead of its full rollout.
The exercise is returning nearly a decade after it was suspended in November 2016 following a court ruling that restricted movement during sanitation hours.
Wahab warned that residents who fail to comply with guidelines on exercise will face sanctions.
Wahab explained that enforcement would be carried out by a joint team drawn from the ministry and relevant agencies, including the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Kick Against Indiscipline, Lagos Waste Management Authority and local government sanitation officers.
He said the teams will conduct physical inspections during and after the sanitation window to ensure compliance, adding that defaulters will be sanctioned in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
He further disclosed that waste evacuation would be supported by LAWMA, noting that LAWMA intervention trucks will go around to cart away bagged wastes generated during the exercise.
To encourage participation, Wahab said the government would introduce incentives for compliance.
He said, “There will be rewards for the cleanest Local Government Area, Local Council Development Area, and the cleanest street as part of efforts to encourage healthy competition and community participation.”
He called on residents to actively participate in the exercise, saying, “We urge all residents to take ownership of this exercise and join hands with the government in building a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Lagos.”
