… As all Chairmen Pledge Commitment, Support To Exercise
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday convened a meeting of selected executive council members with all 57 Local Governments and Development Council Chairmen to get their buy-in and support for the smooth take-off and sustenance of the re-introduced monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise, just as the Local Council helmsmen, led by Conference 57 Chairman, Hon Sesan Olowa, promised their maximum support for the success of the exercise.
Addressing the strategic meeting held at Alausa CBD on the Modalities for the Success of the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab stated that everyone must collaborate to achieve a cleaner, flood-free and sustainable environment.
The Commissioner recalled that last month, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu held a symbolic launch of the Monthly Environmental Sanitation, with the exercise serving as a means to enlighten Lagosians to look inwards, find creative ways to solve what has become an existential problem.
He said the State and Local Governments must synergise to bring back the culture of consistent sanitation, which the monthly sanitation symbolises, adding that the Government can not allow waste and sanitation issues to overrun a megacity like Lagos.
The Commissioner reminded that every Thursday between the hours of 7 am and 10 am, all Markets across Lagos participate in Environmental Sanitation Exercise to clean their markets, saying: “If the markets, being the crux of every economy, can undergo this process, it should be easy to escalate the exercise to our homes”
Wahab said Lagos is moving from the linear waste system (pick and drop) to a system where waste becomes a resource, as such, all LGAs / LCDAs must collaborate with the State to tackle all environmental issues to reduce the quantum of waste that ends up at the landfills.
He states that on designated environmental days at the end of the month, Lagos state EXCO members, Local Government Chairmen and other State Officials will be assigned to areas to supervise and monitor the exercise statewide, while the Ministry will also put together a monitoring team to ensure enforcement during the exercise.
He said the Ministry will work together with the LG/LCDA to put together an Award Ceremony to recognise the Cleanest LG/LCDA Government every month, with a hint that a substantial amount will be attached as a form of competition and appreciation, adding that the event will be publicised in the Media.
He said the state will ensure that the PSP waste operators continue to function in their waste collection processes, revealing that the state, from time to time, intervenes through LAWMA to assist them.
He charged all the LG Chairmen to ensure that they educate residents in their vicinity about the dangers of improper waste disposal, disposing wastes on open spaces, on road medians, drainages and canals, amongst others.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Hon. Bolaji Roberts, sought the support of the Chairmen to ensure the Success of the reintroduced monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise.
He urged the Chairmen to collaborate with the State Government, take the initiative and ensure the consensus of people in their community in order to record immense gains in the area of cleanliness and good Sanitation Practices.
In his speech, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and the House of Assembly Member representing Lagos Island Constituency II, Hon Lanre Afinni, said regular engagement with the Local Government Chairmen should be taking place every quarter, adding that the LG/LCDA Chairmen are expected to engage the CDAs, the traditional Rulers and people in their community to get their buy- in.
The Chairman of Conference 57 and the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Sesan Olowa, who summed up the different presentations of his colleagues, expressed appreciation for convening the meeting, pledging the support of all 57 Chairmen, adding that they will continue to work to ensure a cleaner and sustainable environment in Lagos through proper waste management.
He said each Local Government should put up an enforcement arm that will monitor and ensure compliance with the exercise.
Also present at the meeting were the Special Adviser on the Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; Permanent Secretary, Local Government Chieftaincy Affair and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa.
Others are the MD of Lagos Water Corporation, Engr. Mukhtaar Tijani; MD of LASAA, Prince Fatiu Akiolu; GM of LASPARK, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola; KAI Corp Marshal, Major Olatunbosun Cole; GM of LASWMO, Engr Adefemi Afolabi; GM of LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi; Executive Director of Finance at LAWMA, Mr Kunle Adebiyi and other Directors from the Ministry and its Agencies.
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