In response to the “appalling state” of uncleanliness he saw in communities throughout Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made a suggestion that monthly environmental sanitation might resume. The Governor launched a community-based education and advocacy program on Sunday with the goal of raising awareness of the need to promote community involvement in ongoing waste management and sanitation in order to lower the danger of disease outbreaks.
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At Lagos Island’s Campos Stadium, the weekly environmental sanitization initiative was launched, and the governor went on to emphasize the value of consistent cleanliness for a healthy lifestyle. He urged Lagosians to prioritize cleaning their houses, neighborhoods, and street drains going forward. In order to ensure proper disposal of all garbage collected in all places, Sanwo-Olu urged compliance among communities throughout the State, mentioning that officials of the Lagos State garbage Management Authority (LAWMA) will be dispatched to collect said waste.
In addition, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) hosted a symbolic ceremony at the State House in Marina to commemorate World Tree Planting Day, an international event that promotes environmental sustainability, during which the governor planted a tree. Sanwo-Olu voiced concern about the degree of uncleanliness and the common practice of irregular garbage disposal in various areas, emphasizing the need for environmental sensitization in order to preserve a sustainable ecosystem.
If there was no shift in the mindset towards maintaining a clean environment, he threatened to use the full power of the law and start enforcing sanitation regulations.
“Given the terrible state of our environment, which is completely unacceptable, we are here to start an enlightenment campaign,” the speaker declared. We are seeing an increase in the amount of environmental nuisances that are developing in and around our communities. We have observed the city’s filthy conditions and mountains of trash. The purpose of this event is to launch a statewide advocacy campaign to improve physical cleanliness by ongoing sanitation. “We are advocating for the entire State on our plan to ensure that we start a collective action of ensuring cleanliness in our environment, and we are using the sanitation on Lagos Island as a form of advocacy.” This is significant, and we firmly feel that all citizens need to be made aware of it. This endeavor needs to begin with our houses, schools, offices and markets.”
The Governor expressed regret that Lagos was the epicenter of the cholera outbreak, attributing it to the lack of hygienic conditions in the communities. “The conversation here is an enlightenment in which week after week, we will be going out to demonstrate our willingness to keep our environment clean. I believe we would, on our own as a people, see the need for us to start a monthly sanitation exercise. “We cannot do it alone as a Government; we believe the community should support this effort.” Sanwo-Olu denounced what he called “deliberate sabotage” of drainage systems by those who removed manhole covers on major roads to safeguard our environment and protect our future. I implore everyone to take the message back home that the era of uncleanliness and disregard for environmental regulations is coming to an end in Lagos.”
Mass tree planting, according to Sanwo-Olu, is still one of the state’s adaptation plans for dealing with the effects of climate change. In order to lessen the risks associated with deforestation in Lagos, the Governor instructed LASPARK to spearhead the planting of 20,000 trees over the course of the ensuing year. Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, First Lady Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor’s wife Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, and State Executive Council members all participated in the tree-planting event with Sanwo-Olu. Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, stated that the State Government’s weekly sanitation advocacy was a daring move to enhance the citizens’ quality of life. stressing that the restoration of sanitation would raise hygiene standards and improve the life-span of the citizens.
“We aim to further educate the public about the importance of taking responsibility for their surroundings and making sure that they regularly clean their surroundings and dispose of waste responsibly, all while acknowledging that our own actions play a part in preserving a sustainable environment,” stated the Commissioner. It is the duty of the government as a whole to devise deliberate plans to enhance the environment while guaranteeing that it is free from flooding and hospitable to citizens. This can only be accomplished by periodically cleaning the surroundings continuously.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
