Following what he called the “appalling state” of uncleanliness seen in communities throughout the state, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hinted at the prospect of monthly environmental sanitation returning to the state.

On Sunday, the Governor launched a community-based education and advocacy program with the goal of raising awareness of the need to promote community involvement in ongoing waste management and sanitation in order to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.

The weekly action to sanitise the environment was flagged off at Campos Stadium on Lagos Island, where the Governor further explained the importance of regular sanitation for healthy living. He enjoined Lagosians to also make continuous cleaning of their homes, surrounding and street drainages a priority onward.

Sanwo-Olu urged compliance across communities in the State, noting that officers of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) would be deployed to collect all waste gathered in all areas for proper disposal.

Besides, the Governor planted a tree at a symbolic ceremony organised at the State House in Marina by the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) in commemoration of the World Tree Planting Day, which is held globally to promote environmental sustainability.

Sanwo-Olu expressed concern over widespread practice of irregular waste disposal and level of uncleanliness in several communities, stressing that the sensitisation was necessary to maintain a sustainable environment.

The State, he said, would be forced to bring the full weight of the law to bear and commence sanitation enforcement if there was no change of attitude towards making the environment clean.

He said: “We are here to start an enlightenment campaign given the appalling state of our environment, which is totally unacceptable. We are witnessing a rising level of environmental nuisance being constituted around our communities. We have seen heaps of refuse and the state of uncleanliness in the city. This event is to kick off a Statewide advocacy on improving physical cleanliness through continuous sanitation.

“We are using the sanitation in Lagos Island as a form of advocacy which we will push forward to the entire State on our plan to ensure we begin a collective action of ensuring cleanliness in our environment. This is important and we strongly believe it is something every citizen must be awakened to. This effort must start from our houses, schools, offices and markets.”

Sanwo-Olu decried what he called “deliberate sabotage” of drainage systems by those removing manhole covers on major roads, noting such an act had compromised the mechanism put in place to protect drainage channels from silting.

The Governor said it was a shame that Lagos became the epicenter of cholera outbreak, an occurrence he linked to the level of unhygienic 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 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.”

Sanwo-Olu said massive tree planting remained one of the adaptation strategies set by the State to address the effects of climate change.

The Governor directed LASPARK to lead the charge for the planting of 20,000 trees over the next year, saying the agency must commit itself to the goal of reducing the hazards of deforestation being felt in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu was joined in the tree planting campaign by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, and members of the State Executive Council.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the weekly sanitation advocacy was a bold step by the State Government to improve the well-being of the residents, stressing that the restoration of sanitation would raise hygiene standards and improve the life-span of the citizens.

The Commissioner said: “It is our goal to further educate residents on the need to take ownership of their environment and ensure that they continuously clean surroundings, dispose of waste responsibly while acknowledging that we must sustain this as our own contribution towards maintaining a sustainable environment.

“As a Government, it is our collective responsibility that we develop strategic methods to improve the environment, while ensuring it is flood-free and conducive for residents. This can only be achieved through the continuous cleaning of the environment from time to time.”