Lagos records high compliance in sanitation exercise, pushes daily cleanliness culture

By Adeola Ogunrinde

The Lagos State Government on Saturday recorded high compliance with the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, as officials urged residents to adopt a culture of daily cleanliness.

Monitoring the exercise at Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area, the wife of the governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described residents’ participation as encouraging, noting that the initiative is gradually gaining acceptance across the state.

“I think the assessment for this morning is good; it was flagged off last month, and this is the first exercise. We have seen residents come out to participate, and it is a gradual process as people become more aware,” she said.

She observed that the restriction of movement between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. was largely adhered to, with traders staying off the streets and residents actively cleaning their surroundings.

“For a first-timer, I am impressed,” she added, urging Lagosians to sustain the momentum by maintaining cleanliness beyond the monthly exercise.

She emphasised that residents should not wait for sanitation days before cleaning their environment, adding that students were also mobilised to encourage leadership by example and instil good habits early.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said compliance across the state exceeded 98 per cent, attributing the success to voluntary participation and grassroots sensitisation.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA, Bola Oladunjoye, said extensive awareness campaigns contributed to the high turnout, noting that the exercise, held on the last Saturday of every month, is aimed at promoting public health and environmental sustainability.