Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday announced the re-introduction of the Monthly Environmental Sanitation exercise across Lagos State. The exercise is set to hold every last Saturday of the month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., but without movement restrictions. State officials will monitor compliance, and sanctions will be applied to erring neighbourhoods and markets.
The announcement was made during a ceremony at Olosa Bus Stop in Mushin, marking the symbolic flag-off of the programme. Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and other members of the State cabinet, stressed that environmental responsibility must be embraced by residents and reflected in their daily lifestyle.
The Governor noted that while voluntary cleaning had previously been a common practice among residents, commitment declined following the cancellation of the exercise by a previous administration, leading to haphazard sanitation efforts.
“Every last Saturday of the month used to be a moment when citizens across the State would come together to clean their surroundings, their drains and contribute to a healthy environment across the metropolis. Today, we are bringing back the era where we will all take collective responsibility for the cleanliness of our environment,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He emphasised that achieving a clean city relies not only on government action but also on the discipline and cooperation of citizens. The previous suspension of the exercise was due to a court judgement concerning movement restrictions during the programme, which the State Government respected.
The re-introduced programme will feature reduced restrictions while maintaining the responsibility of residents to ensure a clean environment. Sanwo-Olu highlighted that proper sanitation of streets, markets, drainage channels, and public spaces is critical in a large and dynamic city like Lagos.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab described the move as a bold step to improve residents’ wellbeing and leave a safe, clean, and sustainable environment for future generations. He said the initiative aligns with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration and encourages residents to clean their homes, streets, and drainage channels while LAWMA officials collect and properly dispose of waste.
Wahab also highlighted the educational aspect of the exercise, aimed at promoting a culture of cleanliness, responsible waste disposal, and environmental ownership among residents.
He warned communities that defy the directive would face sanctions under the Lagos State 2017 Environmental Protection Law, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining a clean and flood-free environment.
