By Peter Omopo
The Lagos State Government has announced the full resumption of its monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with movement restrictions to be enforced during the exercise period.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed in a statement that the sanitation exercise will take place on the last Saturday of every month, beginning April 25, between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
He explained that there would be controlled movement across the state during the exercise to enable residents carry out thorough cleaning of their homes, surroundings, and drainage systems.
The commissioner noted that the reintroduction follows an earlier symbolic launch of the programme along the Mushin–Agege Motor Road corridor in March, ahead of its full implementation. He added that the initiative is returning nearly a decade after it was suspended in November 2016 due to a court ruling restricting movement during sanitation hours.
Wahab warned that residents who fail to comply with the sanitation guidelines would face sanctions in line with existing environmental laws.
He stated that enforcement would be carried out by a joint team comprising officials from the ministry and relevant agencies, including the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Kick Against Indiscipline, Lagos Waste Management Authority, and local government sanitation officers.
According to him, the teams will conduct inspections during and after the exercise to ensure compliance, while LAWMA will support waste evacuation by deploying trucks to collect refuse generated during the cleanup.
To boost participation, the government also plans to introduce incentives, including rewards for the cleanest Local Government Area, Local Council Development Area, and streets.
Wahab urged residents to actively participate in the exercise, stressing the need for collective responsibility in maintaining a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment across the state.
