Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise across Lagos, beginning in April.

Sanwo-Olu said the sanitation exercise will hold on the last Saturday of every month from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The governor made the announcement on Saturday during a stakeholders’ engagement on environmental sanitation in Lagos.

He explained that the initiative is aimed at promoting public health and restoring the culture of environmental responsibility among residents.

The governor noted that keeping the state clean requires the active participation of citizens, adding that government alone cannot achieve a clean environment without public support.

Sanwo-Olu also warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels, saying the practice contributes to flooding and the deterioration of road infrastructure across the state.

The monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos was suspended in November 2016 following a Federal High Court ruling which declared the restriction of movement during the exercise unconstitutional.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, described the reintroduction of the exercise as a step toward reviving the culture of cleanliness in the state.

Wahab said the decision followed over one year of consultations with stakeholders, urging residents to dedicate one or two hours monthly to cleaning their homes and surroundings.

He added that the initiative would also support the state’s transition to a circular waste management system where waste can be converted into wealth, energy and recyclable materials.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, and the Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde.

(NAN)