Lagos Warns Residents Against Illegal Refuse Disposal During Cleanup
Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal waste disposal ahead of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise scheduled for Saturday, May 30.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Thursday urges residents to remain indoors between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and actively participate in the statewide cleanup exercise.
Wahab commends Lagos residents for the turnout recorded during the April sanitation exercise, which marks the return of the environmental programme.
He describes environmental cleanliness as essential for healthy living and sustainable urban development.
“The monthly sanitation programme has come to stay,” Wahab says while encouraging residents to clean drains, homes, public spaces and surroundings within their communities.
According to the commissioner, the First Lady of Lagos State, Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, will monitor the exercise in Alimosho Local Government Area, while Head of Service Olabode Agoro supervises activities in Apapa.
The government says compactor trucks have already been deployed across the state for prompt evacuation of refuse, while all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas will participate in enforcement and compliance monitoring.
Wahab warns residents against patronising cart pushers for waste disposal, describing the practice as illegal.
He adds that the operations of Private Sector Participation waste operators have been expanded to serve more communities.
The commissioner also says abatement notices will be issued to residents who fail to clean their premises and warns that defaulters could face prosecution.
He further advises residents against dumping refuse in drainage channels and unauthorised locations as the government intensifies efforts to maintain a clean and flood-free Lagos.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Otamere Gladness 
