Lagos warns residents against dumping refuse in canals as flood risks rise

The Lagos State Government has warned residents against dumping refuse into canals and drainage channels, cautioning that the practice worsens flooding and undermines efforts to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

The warning was issued on Saturday during the October edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, which was monitored by the wife of the governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, in the Ajina area of Ikorodu Local Government Area, and the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, in Ikeja.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu urged residents of Ikorodu to sustain the sanitation exercise beyond the last Saturday of every month, expressing hope that the local government would emerge as the cleanest in the state.

She stressed the importance of continuous public sensitisation in promoting environmental cleanliness, noting that changing people’s attitudes towards sanitation requires sustained efforts.

The governor’s wife encouraged residents to adopt proper sanitation practices in their homes, schools, markets and communities, emphasising that keeping Lagos clean was a collective responsibility.

She also commended residents, particularly children, youths, market traders and environmental sanitation workers, for their active participation in the exercise and their early turnout to clean their surroundings.

Speaking with journalists after the monitoring exercise in Ikeja, Agoro said Saturday’s exercise was the seventh since March. He urged local government chairmen and their executives to mobilise residents and intensify efforts to improve environmental cleanliness.

He described sanitation as a continuous responsibility and expressed concern that government officials observed some residents dumping refuse into canals during the exercise.

According to him, the Ministry of the Environment had been notified to clear the affected canals, while arrangements were being made to reconstruct a canal in the area in consultation with the relevant drainage authorities.

Agoro, however, warned that clearing the canals would have little impact if residents continued to dispose of waste indiscriminately.

The Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mr Akeem Dauda, said the council had been sensitising communities on the need to stop dumping refuse into canals and other unauthorised locations.

Dauda commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for sustaining the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing it as an important platform for mobilising residents and promoting environmental responsibility.

The sanitation exercise in Ikeja covered Onilekere Street, Saidu Street, Olumo Street, Ijesha Close and Olúkòyí Street.

Meanwhile, the state government has introduced an environmental sanitation competition among all local government areas to encourage cleanliness and promote healthier environmental practices.

Under the initiative, the local governments will compete for recognition as the cleanest in Lagos State, with the winner expected to be announced soon.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Tunbosun Ogunbanwo; and members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) also participated in the exercise.