Lagos To Fight Environmental Nuisance

The Lagos State Government has declared zero tolerance for environmental nuisance.

Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, made this declaration while on inspection tour to some parts of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.

The tour, according to him, would give him the opportunity to have on-the-spot assessment of the environment projects as well as look into other areas that need improvement.

He said: “We have to consolidate on the achievements in the existing areas before moving to other areas,” he said, adding that there was the need to constantly monitor the environment to ensure that the efforts of the government were not frustrated.

The commissioner warned members of the public to desist from damaging public properties.

He ordered that overgrown weeds on the highways be cut immediately as they served as hide-outs for criminals who unleash terror on members of the public.

Bello stated one of the reasons for reclaiming some parts of the state for landscaping and beautification was to combat crimes, adding that the beautification of Lagos had added aesthetics and socio-economic value to the centre of excellence.

He appealed to individuals and corporate bodies to clean their surroundings and plant trees and flowers.

“There is the need for improved vegetal control to enhance the state’s environment, as clean environment is prerequisite for healthy living and good business,” he said.

The commissioner lamented that indiscriminate dumping of refuse was becoming rampant in the metropolis, saying it was undermining government‘s efforts at ensuring a cleaner environment.

He warned that such an act “is responsible for the blockage of most canals and had greatly contributed to flooding in some areas.” Bello ordered that unauthorised motor vendors, block industries and others abutting highways such as Oworonshoki-Gbagada axis should relocate immediately to avoid government’s sanction.

He decried a situation where some people channel waste water into the roads and ordered that such houses should be served abatement notice, adding that “we have to do our job and we cannot do it with sentiments; if we are to clean Lagos, it must be total.”

—Kazeem Ugbodaga