Sanitation compliance improving in Lagos, says HoS

By Uchechi Afonne

The Head of Service (HoS) of Lagos State Mr Bode Agoro has noted that the compliance with the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise by residents of the state is improving.

He also urged greater public participation to sustain a cleaner and healthier environment.

The HoS said this on Saturday while monitoring the environmental sanitation exercise across the state.

Agoro said although some residents still needed encouragement, participation had improved since the exercise was reintroduced.

“I won’t say residents are nonchalant. I would rather say they are feeling a bit lazy. Most of them were still asleep when we started,” he said.

According to him, many residents initially assumed the sanitation exercise was a one-off programme.

“When they start to realise that it’s not a one-off and that it will be every month, I’m seeing more people coming out,” he said.

Responding to complaints over delayed evacuation of refuse by Private Sector Participation operators, Agoro said the government would investigate the matter.

“There could be a variety of reasons. We have to investigate before determining why waste has not been evacuated,” he said.

The HoS also addressed concerns over a dilapidated building on Salami Street in Kofose, saying the Ministry of Physical Planning would inspect the structure to determine whether it remained safe for habitation.

“If it creates a risk to human life, then we have to bring it down,” he said.

Agoro urged residents to shun indiscriminate waste disposal and take greater responsibility for maintaining a clean environment.

“Government cannot do everything. We all owe it to one another to keep Lagos clean,” he said.

He also called on corporate organisations to support environmental sanitation through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

“We already have companies like Lafarge supporting us. Others should join us to make Lagos a cleaner and better environment,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Mr Moyo Ogunlewe, commended residents for participating in the exercise.

Ogunlewe said the council would continue to support environmental sanitation to ensure a healthier environment for residents.

“Everybody needs to do this. It’s not about the government alone. We are all members of the government,” he said. (NAN)