Lagos cancels monthly environmental sanitation

The Lagos state government has terminated the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, which usually holds between 7am and 10am on the last Saturday of every month.

According to Steve Ayorinde, commissioner for information, the decision to cancel the exercise was arrived at Wednesday’s executive council meeting.

He said the government approved the need for “a robust review of the environmental laws and procedures in the state in order to meet the present day challenges and to promote a clean and healthy environment”.

“The government noted that considering the present economic situation in the country, it was no longer appropriate to restrict movement of people for three hours in a mega city like Lagos at a time they should be pursuing commercial and entrepreneurial activities,” he said.

“In the last two decades, Lagos has grown exponentially into a mega city with the attendant huge environmental problems associated with managing a population of over twenty million people.

“But sadly, the environmental laws, policies and procedures being practiced in the state have not been able to match the phenomenal growth and the dream of a 24-hour economy, hence the need for the reform.”

Ayorinde said the government will accelerate the introduction of fresh reforms that will take care of environmental hazards.

He also encouraged residents of the state to voluntarily partner with government to in promoting holistic and modern solutions to the unique environmental challenges confronting the state.

“After a careful consideration, the state executive council has therefore resolved that the present economic climate can no longer support the continued lock down of a mega city like Lagos, when the citizens should be free to engage in commercial and entrepreneurial activities that can promote economic growth and prosperity,” he said.

“Furthermore, government will also accelerate the introduction of fresh reforms through the passage of the new harmonized environmental laws that will drive meaningful changes in areas of harmonized billing, waste management, modern Landfill sites, noise pollution, introduction of an Environmental Trust Fund and an Environmental Advisory Council.

“The government wishes to reiterate its strong commitment to a clean and secure environment for the benefit of its citizens, and will continue to provide the necessary leadership to meet the environmental challenges of a mega city like Lagos.

“Lagosians and visitors alike are therefore urged to embrace these changes and imbibe a culture of voluntarily maintaining and preserving their environment to create a beautiful and healthy city that we all can be proud of.”