Lagos To Resume Monthly Sanitation Exercise 7 Years After Cancellation

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the return of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, seven years after it was discontinued.

Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources in the state, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed that the governor would officially announce the reintroduction later in the month.

Wahab, in a 21-second video posted on the Lagos State environmental updates X handle on Monday, stated that the exercise would resume in July.

“Our governor and the State Executive Council have approved the reintroduction of the monthly sanitation exercise in Lagos state, beginning from this month,” Wahab said in Yoruba adding “The governor will personally make the announcement.”

The decision comes amid growing concerns over clogged drainage channels and roads littered with refuse which have worsened flooding issues in the densely populated city.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the Lagos State government canceled the sanitation exercise in November 2016, which traditionally took place from 7am to 10am on the last Saturday of every month.

A former Commissioner of Information, Steve Ayorinde who served under former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, explained that the decision was made during an Executive Council Meeting.

While cancelling the exercise, Ayorinde noted that restricting movement for three hours was no longer suitable for a megacity like Lagos.

The government had decided on the cancellation to allow for “a robust review of the environmental laws and procedures in the state in order to meet the present day challenges and to promote a clean and healthy environment.”