The Lagos State Government has renewed its call for residents to embrace proper sanitation habits to maintain a cleaner, safer, and flood-free environment across the state.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known during a media briefing after an inspection of key locations including Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago.
He emphasised that maintaining environmental hygiene should become a daily routine for all citizens.
Wahab revealed that the state is preparing to resume its Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise, with an official launch date to be announced shortly.
He noted that good sanitation is essential to public health and urban resilience, especially as Lagos continues to expand in population and development.
During his visit to Idi-Araba, under Mushin Local Government Area, the Commissioner disclosed that intelligence reports had uncovered a syndicate operating illegal waste collection services through cart pushers.
This practice, he noted, violates existing environmental laws in Lagos, which prohibit such informal waste management activities.
“There’s an active, unlawful dumpsite in Idi-Araba, controlled by cart pushers and backed by a syndicate. This site must be shut down, and we’re also targeting those trading under Daleko Bridge who are contributing to the mess,” Wahab stated.
He added that enforcement efforts across the state against cart pushers would be intensified in the coming weeks, in line with the state’s commitment to environmental management and safety.
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At Alaba Rago Market, Wahab expressed disappointment at the return of unsanitary practices, despite previous enforcement actions.
He recalled that the market had been temporarily closed last year and urged the leadership to adhere strictly to sanitation rules to avoid another shutdown.
“They’ve turned the road median into a dumping ground, expanded their stalls onto the highway, and obstructed drainage paths. We’ve given them until tomorrow evening to clear all infractions, or we will take enforcement action,” he warned.
Wahab said the market’s chairman had agreed to mobilise traders to restore order and maintain the surrounding infrastructure.
He further directed that traders occupying the road, drainage setbacks, and medians must immediately move into the market space or risk sanctions.
The government, he said, would seal off the market by 6pm on Monday if violations persist.
He reminded all markets across Lagos that trading on roads and drainage channels is illegal under the state’s environmental laws, urging compliance or face closure.
During the visit to Orile Iganmu, Wahab observed that the Iganmu Channel had been blocked by indiscriminate dumping of refuse. He directed that swamp buggies be deployed in the coming week to clear the obstruction and restore free flow of stormwater.
He also announced the deployment of over 100 LAWMA trucks to support waste collection in areas where Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators are falling short.
The intervention, he said, would continue while discussions are held with the PSP operators to ensure full compliance.
Commenting on residents’ attitudes, Wahab said some people were unwilling to pay for waste management services yet expected effective delivery.
“We have 377 wards and 377 PSP operators serving them. If people fulfil their payment obligations, the operators will be compelled to perform,” he noted.
He urged Lagosians to stop indiscriminate waste disposal and take responsibility for the maintenance of public infrastructure, particularly drains, roads, and waste bins.
The inspection team also visited Ojerinde, Ewunmi, Wonuola, Takuro, Paul Okuntola, and Taiwo streets in Idi-Araba, alongside Alaba Rago Market and the Iganmu Channel.
