Authorities in Lagos have applauded residents for their active participation in the revived monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the commendation in a post on his official X account, describing the turnout as a show of collective civic responsibility.
“Our deepest appreciation goes out to every single Lagosian who stepped out today to take ownership of our common heritage. Thank you for taking care of your environment, for clearing your drains, sweeping your streets, and sanitising your surroundings”, he said.
Wahab also praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat for their commitment to restoring the exercise, alongside the Governor’s wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and the Deputy Governor’s wife, Oluremi Hamzat, for leading the exercise’s commencement.
He further commended local government chairmen across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas for driving the initiative at the grassroots level.
He also acknowledged transport unions for mobilising their members to participate, describing their collaboration as key to the exercise’s success.
The sanitation exercise, held between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., marks the first full implementation since it was suspended in 2016 following a court ruling restricting movement during sanitation hours. A symbolic launch had earlier been held along the Mushin–Agege corridor in March.
Ahead of the exercise, the government deployed enforcement teams from relevant environmental agencies and warned that defaulters would be sanctioned under the state’s environmental laws, while waste collection trucks were positioned to manage refuse generated.
The state also announced plans to reward the cleanest local government area, council development area and street monthly to encourage sustained participation.
Wahab reiterated that achieving a cleaner Lagos depends on continued collaboration between government and residents, describing it as key to building a “Greater Lagos”.
