Sanwo-Olu’s wife insists on sustained environmental responsibility

The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday led residents of Eputu London in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area (LGA), in the July edition of the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise, stressing the need for sustained environmental responsibility.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu, who spoke during the exercise, commended the community for what she described as growing environmental awareness.

She said residents went beyond the designated day of the last Saturday of every month by starting clean-up activities three days earlier, a development she said shows the campaign is yielding results.

According to her, “We are very proud of our people. When we arrived at Eputu London, we found that the residents had already started cleaning their environment three days before the exercise.

“They didn’t wait until the last Saturday of the month. This shows that people are becoming more aware of their environment and taking responsibility for it.”

Ms. Sanwo-Olu noted the large turnout of both adults and children, despite the challenges posed by the rainy season and floods in some parts of Lagos.

He saluted the schoolchildren for participating in the exercise, pointing out that they joined the council exercise as early as 6.30am

The First Lady highlighted the importance of involving young people in environmental management even as she called for a daily culture of environmental cleanliness.

“We’re catching them young. These kids were here very early this morning because whatever value we impart to them today will continue into the future.

“By the grace of God, students from tertiary institutions will also participate from next month. This is a collective responsibility,” he said.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu therefore urged Lagos residents to continue to participate in the monthly exercise, which is held on the last Saturday of every month between 6.30am and 8.30am, with emphasis on maintaining daily sanitation habits.

The government strengthens waste infrastructure

Also speaking, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the state government was intensifying efforts to improve waste management infrastructure.

He cited ongoing works at the Olusosun Waste Management Plant, where a waste transfer loading station and a material recovery facility are being developed to improve waste treatment and disposal.

According to him, “operators of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, and Private Sector Participants, PSP, are strengthening waste collection services, as government continues to support and enlighten the public.

“The ultimate goal is to ensure efficient waste management across the state. LAWMA and PSP operators are making significant efforts, but residents must also take ownership of the process.

“People should not dump waste on medians, drainage ditches or public spaces because those structures belong to all of us.”

Wahab, however, acknowledged that changing entrenched habits will take time, but expressed confidence that sustained campaigns, consistency and enforcement will produce results.

The commissioner, therefore, urged residents who have difficulties with waste collection to report to LAWMA instead of dumping waste indiscriminately, especially into drainage systems.

“If residents pay for waste collection services, service providers must provide them. If errors occur, people should contact LAWMA so appropriate action can be taken.”

He added that the Government will continue to combine support, public awareness and sanctions, where necessary, to support environmental compliance across the State.

“Advocacy remains our first approach, but sanctions will be applied where necessary,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a concurrent exercise, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Water Resources, Engr, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, led another senior government team at Badagry Local Government.

He assured residents that the state government would not relent in its campaign against indiscriminate dumping of waste and other environmental violations.

Akodu also commended the Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) in Badagry for their participation in the exercise, stressing that the inclusion of the students in the monthly sanitation program was aimed at training future environmental defenders.

“The involvement of students is intentional. We want to capture them young and train them as environmental champions who will protect the future of Lagos,” he said