Lagos launches community cleanup campaign

The Lagos state government has commenced community cleanup campaign to address environmental challenges in the state.

Solape Hammond, special adviser to the governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Investment, at a sensitisation campaign in Alimosho local government area on Thursday, said the focus is to reduce threats to human life and the environment.

She noted that the current negative trends of environmental abuse is undermining the progress towards 80 percent of the assessed targets of the SDGs related to poverty, hunger, health, sustainable consumption and production, water, cities, climate, oceans and land.

The special adviser, who said the government is engaging in social awareness and policy action, called on residents to support the campaign.

“The environment is a representation of its residents; we must desist from activities that debase it. Government on its part is intensifying societal awareness and policy action against the scourge of environmental pollution. It is the responsibility of every resident to support government’s approach to bequeath a safe and healthy environment for development,” she said.

“Lagos residents need to note that protecting the environment is, without doubt, the best way to protect themselves against diseases and other harmful environmental hazards. We should be a community that cares for the environment and work together to make a difference.”

Hammond said the essence of the campaign is to inspire Lagosians to cultivate the habit of caring for the environment, adding that developing robust, coherent and coordinated solutions that jointly address the menace of environmental degradation will help to develop the state.

According to her, a clean environment underpins the delivery of quality socio-economic services and provides reliable solutions to challenges related to urban well-being.

“The impact of this pandemic which is in no hurry to loosen a grip on mankind is increasingly drawing our attention to the need to protect the environment against abuse from human behaviour and mitigate the adverse impact of climate change. And our response to the pandemic should stem from the desire to protect nature,” she said.

“One of the main challenges of sanitation is sustainability, especially in a metropolitan city like Lagos State. In order to serve the city’s growing population, sanitation has to be adapted to several specific contexts. Increased investment in sanitation must be complemented with citizens’ resolve to approach the environment responsibly.”

In his remarks, Jelili Adewale, chairman Alimosho local government, commended the government for its efforts towards creating a conducive atmosphere.

“The rewards for routine cleaning of the environment is inestimable and we are glad that the state government is at the forefront of efforts to protect and give value to the environment across the state. The office of SDGs & Investment through this campaign is encouraging citizens to own up to the responsibility of safeguarding their community from filth,” he added.