The Lagos State Government has emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining a clean environment, as demonstrated during the Sura loop clean-up exercise on Lagos Island.
This initiative is part of a broader campaign flagged off by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on July 14, advocating for weekly community and grassroots cleaning activities to foster environmental sustainability.
Key points from the event include:
Community Engagement:
The Lagos State Government urged residents to take personal responsibility for cleaning their surroundings. Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of embedding cleaning habits as a cultural norm for environmental sustainability.
Role of LAWMA:
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), emphasized the significance of this exercise in a mega-city like Lagos, which has a population of around 22 million.
He reiterated the governor’s directive for residents to take ownership of their environment regularly cleaning it, especially in light of ongoing health challenges such as Cholera.
Multi-Agency Collaboration:
The clean-up exercise involved collaboration with various agencies, including Lagos Parks and Gardens (LASPARK), which contributed by planting around 25 trees and clearing the surrounding grasses.
This effort aligns with building resilient infrastructure to combat climate change.
Advocacy and Awareness:
Tari Taylour, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, noted that the initiative aims to bring the advocacy for a cleaner Lagos to the grassroots level.
She encouraged community members, including those using public spaces like Sura field, to take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of the field for their health benefit.
Clarification on Monthly Sanitation:
In response to rumors about the reintroduction of monthly environmental sanitation, LAWMA clarified that the government is not considering imposing a specific monthly sanitation day.
Instead, the focus is on continuous, community-driven cleaning efforts.
Newsmen reports that the event underscored the government’s commitment to promoting a cleaner, healthier Lagos through community participation and sustainable sanitation and hygiene practices.
