The reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise on Saturday recorded low compliance in Oworonshoki area of Lagos State, as many residents failed to participate.

Only a few residents came out to clean their surroundings on several streets in Oworonshoki, including Salami, Ireku, Oriola, Miyaki, Ayoola, Onabanjo, and Sokoya.

Most residents were observed going about their normal activities, while others remained indoors without participating in the exercise.

In separate interviews with journalists, some residents attributed the low turnout to inadequate sensitisation by the government on the reintroduction of the exercise.

Elizabeth Komolafe said there was need for government to deploy officials to educate residents and sensitise them on the importance of the exercise.

“Government needs to give time for sensitisation and make jingles on radio and television to create awareness, as many people are not even aware that the exercise has resumed.

“Government should deploy law enforcement and environmental officials to enforce the exercise and ensure compliance, as awareness alone is insufficient, and many will not comply without consequences,” Ms Komolafe said.

On his part, Abdullahi Usman said that while the sanitation exercise was important for public health, the absence of water and electricity hindered effective participation.

“It is very important for people to clean their environment, but there is no water. People cannot carry out sanitation without water. Even washing hands is a challenge.

“When residents clean their gutters, the refuse is left behind. When it rains, everything goes back into the drainage, making their efforts useless,” he said.

Mr Usman also noted that waste evacuation remained a major challenge, alleging that refuse collectors had not been consistent in clearing waste in Oworoshoki.

Another resident, Banji Lawal, agreed that inadequate awareness contributed to the low turnout but added that lack of basic amenities such as water supply also posed a challenge.

He called on government to ensure the provision of basic necessities such as potable water and regular waste evacuation services to make the exercise more effective.

He stressed that the exercise would promote public health if properly organised.

Further observations at Miyaki and adjoining streets showed that many residents were either seated outside their homes or engaged in conversations, with little or no effort to clean their environment.

Although vehicular movement was minimal, there was no visible enforcement by officials of the Lagos State government or environmental agencies in the areas visited.

The monthly environmental sanitation exercise, recently reintroduced by the state government, will hold on the last Saturday of every month to promote cleanliness and prevent diseases. 

(NAN)