The Lagos State Taskforce on the environment has continued to undertake statewide monitoring and enforcement operations to ensure compliance with the Environmental Sanitation Exercise.
This it did again last Saturday, in line with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law of 2017, commenced in the early hours of the day.
Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele who led the exercise supervised operations across identified hotspots with a history of environmental violations.
These included Ikeja, Iyana-Ipaja, Abule-Egba, the Abattoir in Agege, Iyana-Oworo, Lagos Island, Lekki–Ajah Expressway, Ijora Causeway, Ijora Underbridge, Iddo, and other parts of the State.
While there was notable compliance in terms of restricted vehicular movement and commercial activities, the Chairman observed that some residents failed to actively participate in the sanitation exercise.
At Ile-Epo, the Chairman commended transport union members for taking responsibility in cleaning their surroundings, motor parks, and garages, encouraging sustained participation.
In a related development, Taskforce operatives arrested over 50 suspected miscreants and street urchins along the Lekki-Epe Expressway for disturbing public peace and attempting to exploit the restriction period of the Environmental Sanitation Exercise to perpetrate criminal activities.
Some of the suspects were also implicated in acts posing threats to public infrastructure, including billboards and road signage. All suspects will be charged to court accordingly.
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise forms part of the Lagos State Government’s renewed efforts to curb indiscriminate dumping of refuse, open defecation, street trading, and other environmental violations, with the goal of fostering a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment.
The agency emphasised that active citizen participation, alongside consistent enforcement by Taskforce operatives and other relevant agencies, remains critical to achieving lasting environmental sanity across the State.
CSP Adetayo Akerele reiterated that violators of environmental sanitation laws will be prosecuted in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law of 2017.
READ ALSO: Akerele’s Superior Intelligence Exposes Man Parading Himself As Naval Captain
Speaking at Ile-Epo in Oke-Odo LCDA, the Chairman also addressed youths in the area, urging them to actively participate in future sanitation exercises and desist from engaging in street football during sanitation hours.
He stressed the importance of cleanliness in community development and called on young people to take ownership of their environment.
The Lagos State Government remains committed to a zero-tolerance stance on environmental nuisances, as part of broader efforts to make Lagos a cleaner, safer, and more livable city for all.
Cami Ezenwa is a writer, editor and concepts developer. He has worked with the Daily Times, Daily Independent, Financial Standard and Business Television, to mention a few.
Committed to grooming the next generation of impactful writers, he is an apostle of free flowing prose.