The Lagos State Government has refuted reports that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise has been reinstated, urging residents to disregard the claim and await official communication from the state government.
In a statement on Saturday, Kunle Adeshina, Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, clarified that no categorical announcement has been made on the resumption date of the exercise.
“The Lagos State Government has not resumed the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, contrary to reports circulating in some online media platforms. No categorical statement has been made on the date of commencement,” Adeshina said.
He explained that the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources had earlier indicated that consultations with stakeholders were ongoing, stressing that any decision on the exercise would be officially communicated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“What the Commissioner told journalists after a project inspection tour last Sunday was that engagement with all stakeholders is still ongoing. While the government believes the exercise may return very soon, the official date will be communicated by Mr Governor,” he stated.
Adeshina noted that the state had planned to begin with a sensitisation programme but encountered logistical challenges.
“The truth is, we were meant to start with a sensitisation programme last week, but we had a logistics issue. We need to find a day that is acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.
He urged residents to continue their normal activities, assuring that adequate notice would be given if the sanitation exercise is reintroduced.
“All law-abiding citizens should continue to go about their lawful businesses without let or hindrance. If the exercise is reintroduced, residents will be duly notified through official channels,” Adeshina added.
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise, previously held on the last Saturday of every month between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 following a legal pronouncement restricting movement during the period.
However, persistent waste management challenges, including clogged drainage channels and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, have renewed public calls for the exercise to be reinstated as part of broader environmental management efforts in the state.
