The Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has urged residents to take responsibility for environmental cleanliness by properly disposing of waste, clearing blocked drainages and participating in monthly sanitation exercises.

The chairman of Yaba LCDA, Bayo Adefuye, made the call on Saturday during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos.

Mr Adefuye said his administration would continue to prioritise public health and environmental sustainability across the council area.

The Lagos State government reintroduced the monthly environmental sanitation exercise across the state about six months ago.

The chairman said the council would enforce environmental sanitation laws and partner with community leaders to ensure compliance.

He warned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and open spaces.

He noted that such practices could contribute to flooding during the rainy season.

“Sanitation begins with me, cleaning benefits all,” he said.

Mr Adefuye said critical drainage points and identified black spots across the council area received special attention during the exercise.

He commended residents, market women, youth groups and sanitation workers for their participation, urging them to sustain the practice beyond the monthly exercise.

“I am impressed with the turnout of residents, traders and community stakeholders who joined council officials to clean streets, drainages and public spaces across the area.

“A clean environment is a shared responsibility. I want to appreciate our residents, market women, youth groups and sanitation workers who turned out once again to make the exercise a success,” he said.

Mr Adefuye called for continued collaboration between the council and residents to sustain a clean and healthy environment.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in Yaba LCDA, Yusuf Adeneye, commended the council for evacuating heaps of refuse from various wards after the sanitation exercise.

Mr Adeneye, however, urged the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to ensure timely collection of waste.

He said residents remained committed to maintaining a clean environment and fulfilling their civic responsibilities, including paying waste management fees promptly.

“However, to sustain these sanitation efforts, we require reliable and consistent services from the waste operators,” he said.

The exercise was led by Mr Adefuye, the leader of the legislative council, Babatunde Dosunmu, councillors, supervisors and other management officials. 

(NAN)