The Lagos state government announced on Sunday, July 21, that it will sustain its sanitation advocacy efforts until the community adopts and internalizes proper environmental and hygiene habits.
During a meeting with traders at the Alamutu Market in Idi-Oro, Mushin, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, emphasized that maintaining a clean environment is a collective responsibility and essential for preventing the spread of diseases among residents.
Prior to his meeting with traders, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu participated in a drainage cleaning exercise on Agege Motor Road, where he helped remove blockages and debris, which were then disposed of by a waste collection truck.
The governor’s aide explained that the clean-up is a follow-up to Mr. Governor’s pronouncement on community-based sanitation, saying the environment must be clean and food handled hygienically to ensure the socio-economic well-being of residents.
Rotimi-Akodu also reminded traders that the Alamutu market was shut last year due to unsanitary habits.
He advised them to regularly clean the market and environs, clear the refuse heaps immediately, and desist from street trading.
He added: “As we all know all diseases are spread through contaminated water, poorly-made food and poor sanitation habits, such as open defecation, poor waste management among others. As such, our sanitation should be an everyday practice and not only on Thursdays.
“This community sanitation advocacy is a continuous exercise that will move across the 57 LGs/LCDAs as well as public spaces, among others, to spread the message of sustainable sanitation practices among the people.
“The government is doing this to ensure the people voluntarily continue with the culture, and if there are no changes, the government may consider reintroducing the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.”
Permanent Secretary (Environmental Services) in the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Omobolaji Gaji, said the exercise was to create awareness among the residents on the importance of sanitation practices as a veritable means of controlling and preventing communicable diseases.
He said: “If we deal with the environment properly, the environment will also treat us right and our life span will surely be increased.”
He charged all residents to take charge of their environment by cleaning it always and blowing the whistle when their neighbours engage in unsanitary behaviours as the government cannot be everywhere.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegeshin, highlighted that the ongoing initiative also aims to ensure that every household in Lagos has a waste bin, and urged residents to utilize the services of authorized Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators for waste management, rather than relying on informal cart pushers.
The areas covered in the visit included Agege Motor Road, Alamatu Market on Labinjo Street, as well as Adeyanju Street and Makinde Street, all located within the Mushin Local Government Area.
