With compliance levels exceeding 98 percent, Lagos State authorities on Saturday commended residents for their active participation in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, signaling a strong return of the culture of communal cleanliness.
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who monitored the exercise across parts of Ikoyi and Obalende, described the turnout and level of participation as encouraging, noting that the initiative would gain stronger acceptance over time.
“It is a gradual process, but what we have seen today is very commendable. Residents came out, they participated, and there was visible compliance. People are becoming more aware of the importance of the monthly sanitation exercise,” she said.
The First Lady, who visited Ojo Street Junction, Ajeniya Street, Odo Street, Eleshi Street, Lalupon Street, and Biaudo Close under the Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, observed that commercial activities were largely suspended during the exercise.
“The vendors did not display their goods, and people stayed off the roads except those involved in cleaning their environment. For a first outing, the assessment is quite good,” she added.
She urged residents to imbibe the culture of daily environmental cleanliness rather than waiting for the monthly exercise, stressing the need to instill such values in younger generations.
“We brought students along to demonstrate leadership by example and to catch them young. Cleanliness should be a daily responsibility, not just a monthly routine,” she said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance, stating that the exercise has come to stay despite initial skepticism.
“With the massive participation we have witnessed today, a strong message has been sent to naysayers that the monthly sanitation exercise is back and here to stay. The level of compliance is over 98 percent, with commercial vehicles off the roads and residents actively participating,” he said.
He commended residents and key stakeholders, including local government officials, for mobilizing grassroots participation.
“We thank Lagosians, the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the First Lady, and all local government chairmen for their support. The message was effectively taken to the grassroots, and the response has been impressive,” Wahab added.
On plans to reward compliance, the commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to incentivizing the cleanest local governments.
“We stand by our promise. The jury will soon be unveiled, and the cleanest local governments will be identified and rewarded within the week,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the legality of movement restrictions during the exercise, Wahab clarified that there is no subsisting court ruling prohibiting the state from enforcing such measures.
“There is no law or judgment restraining Lagos State from restricting movement during sanitation hours. The Court of Appeal ruling supports the state’s position,” he explained.
He expressed optimism that compliance levels would improve further in subsequent exercises.
“We are targeting 99 percent and ultimately 100 percent compliance. If residents sustain this momentum daily and weekly, the culture of environmental cleanliness will be fully restored,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Agege, the Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, who led another monitoring team, also expressed satisfaction with the turnout, describing it as a reflection of residents’ willingness to maintain a healthy environment.
“The turnout clearly shows that people are ready to take responsibility for their environment. Cleanliness is essential to preventing diseases and infections, which often arise from poor sanitation,” he said.
Agoro noted that individuals with genuine emergencies were allowed movement but urged others to comply fully with sanitation directives.
He further called on local governments to strengthen collaboration with Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Committees (CDCs), landlords, and youth groups to sustain environmental cleanliness.
“Communities must organize themselves to clean drains regularly and discourage indiscriminate waste disposal, which contributes significantly to flooding,” he added.
Top officials on the First Lady’s delegation included the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Kunle Akodu, Permanent Secretaries, members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), and students.
Monitoring in Agege covered areas such as Morkaz, Alfa Nla, Ayeni, Imam Ojoku, and Oriretan streets.
