On Sunday, the Lagos State Government reaffirmed its dedication to promoting sanitation advocacy throughout the state, aiming to instill a culture of good environmental sanitation and hygienic practices among residents.
During a community-based sanitation exercise and sensitization event at Alamutu Market, Idi-Oro Mushin, the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean environment to prevent diseases. He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, and the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin. The officials participated in cleaning the drainage along Agege Motor Road, where waste was desilted and carted away by a waste truck.
Engr. Akodu stated that this cleanup exercise follows the Governor’s directive on community-based sanitation, underscoring the necessity of cleanliness and hygienic food handling processes to ensure the socio-economic wellbeing of all residents. Addressing the traders at Alamutu Market, Akodu reminded them of the market’s previous closure due to unsanitary conditions and urged them to maintain cleanliness and avoid street trading.
“As we all know, diseases are spread through contaminated water and food resulting from unhygienic and poor sanitation practices such as open defecation, poor waste management, and poor personal hygiene. Our sanitation exercise should be an everyday practice, not just on Thursdays,” Akodu emphasized.
He announced that the community sanitation and advocacy exercise would continue across the state’s 57 LGs/LCDAs, including public spaces and markets, aiming to establish sustainable sanitation practices. If there is no positive change, the government might reintroduce the monthly environmental sanitation exercises.
Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, highlighted the exercise’s goal to raise awareness about the importance of sanitation practices in controlling and preventing communicable diseases. “If we treat the environment properly, it will treat us right, and our life span will surely increase,” he noted, urging residents to take responsibility for their environment and report unsanitary behaviors.
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of LAWMA, stressed the need for every household in Lagos to own a waste bin and to utilize PSP operators instead of cart pushers. He asserted that consistent cleanliness and good sanitation practices would enhance economic activities across the metropolis.
The sanitation campaign visited several areas, including Agege Motor Road, Alamutu Market, Idi-Oro, Labinjo Street, Adeyanju Street, and Makinde Street, all within Mushin Local Government Area.
