Selected Lagos EXCO members on Tuesday met with the chairmen of all 57 local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs) to seek their support for the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation across the state.

The meeting, held at the Alausa Central Business District, focused on modalities for the smooth take-off and sustenance of the exercise across the state.

The commissioner for the environment and water resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said collaboration among stakeholders was necessary to achieve a cleaner, flood-free, and sustainable environment.

Mr Wahab noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had recently performed a symbolic launch of the monthly environmental sanitation.

He explained that the initiative aimed to encourage residents to adopt responsible waste management practices.

Mr Wahab said Lagos generates between 13,000 and 14,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, describing waste disposal as a major challenge for the state.

“Except we choose to play the ostrich, we have to say to one another that municipal solid waste generated in Lagos, which is about 13,000 to 14,000 tonnes per day, is becoming a major challenge in respect to how we dispose of and cart our waste,” he said.

He stressed the need for synergy between state and local governments to revive the culture of consistent sanitation.

Mr Wahab added that waste management issues must not be allowed to overwhelm a megacity like Lagos.

The commissioner also noted that markets across the state already observe sanitation every Thursday between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., adding that the practice could be extended to residential areas.

Mr Wahab said the state was transitioning from a linear waste system to one in which waste becomes a resource, urging LGAs and LCDAs to collaborate to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills.

He disclosed that on designated environmental sanitation days, state EXCO members, local government chairmen, and other officials would be assigned to monitor the exercise statewide.

According to him, the ministry will also institute a monthly award for the cleanest LGA or LCDA to encourage healthy competition.

He added that private sector participation operators would continue waste collection, with support from the Lagos Waste Management Authority where necessary.

Mr Wahab urged council chairmen to intensify public enlightenment on the dangers of improper waste disposal, particularly the dumping of refuse on roads, medians, drainage channels, and canals.

Also speaking, the commissioner for local government, chieftaincy affairs and rural development, Bolaji Roberts, called on the chairmen to support the initiative and ensure community participation.

Mr Roberts urged them to collaborate with the state government and mobilise residents to ensure the success of the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

The chairmen, led by the chairman of Conference 57, Sesan Olowa, pledged their commitment and support for the exercise.

(NAN)