The Lagos Government is Committed to Ridding the State of Waste, Writes Samson Adebayo

FOR A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT IN LAGOS

The mega city status of Lagos State comes with many challenges. Nigerians and non-Nigerians daily flock to Lagos to realise their dreams and aspirations. But the huge population of Lagos, and commercial activities also have their resultant impact on the environment.

The Lagos State government under the leadership of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has consolidated the environmental sustainability model emplaced by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Sanwo-Olu has strengthened the relationship with the Private Sector Investors, popularly known as PSP, in the waste management sector of the state. It will be recalled that PSP were at loggerheads with the former government over policy decisions that substantially undermined their operations.

The heaps of refuse at various parts of the state were cleared. The PSP were resourced to reach the grassroot and get out the wastes. The necessary restructuring in the management at Lagos State Waste Management Authority was done for the goal of the cleaner Lagos to be achieved.

Having made significant progress in taming home-generated waste in residential areas, the government of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has moved further to read a riot act to market women and men, traders who are disposing wastes indiscriminately. The popular auto spare parts in Lagos, reputed to be the biggest in West Africa, Ladipo Spare Parts Market in Papa-Ajao, area of Mushin Local Government came under the hammer recently. The government shut the market over unbearable wastes. The canals are clogged with waste, and the entire area has become largely inhabitable for the unfortunate residents of the areas. The same fate befell Alayabiagba market in Alaba Suuru area of Lagos. The message is very clear, under Governor Sanwo-Olu, Lagos must be rid of heaps of refuse.

In addition to this, indiscriminate disposal of refuse and building of structures on drainages also cause flooding. The losses occasioned by flooding are monumental. Yet, the flood situation can be better managed if the people take precaution and live responsibly.  

On this, the Lagos State governor has ordered the demolition of illegal market structures built on drainage in the Lagos Island. The exercise is expected to be extended to other parts of the state in coming days.

Sanwo-Olu, who spoke during a “drainage and regeneration tour of Lagos Island,” last Sunday was dismayed with the level of environmental degradation. He lamented the “outright disregard for their well-being and environment” by some Lagos Island residents. He said, “I am using this information as a notice to all of the illegal squatters and those that are doing illegal activities there, it is an official notice again that we will take and clean up the entire market and we will start fully with Bombata and Jankara markets. It’s going to be ground zero”.

“I am using this channel again to appeal to our citizens that we will not tolerate it. There will be zero tolerance and the Ministry of the Environment will start giving demolition notices to all of the stores that have been built on the drainage.

“As part of our administration’s plan for the regeneration of Lagos Island, I went on an on-site inspection of some areas in that axis that were affected by floods.

“I visited Jankara, Ojo Giwa, Oroyiyin, Idumagbo and Pelewura markets. What was sadly visible during this inspection was the outright disregard for their well-being, the environment and their surroundings through the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, abuse of drainages and illegal construction of shops and market stalls by some residents.

“I have, therefore issued a one-week quit notice to the affected people. I promised residents of the government’s plan to regenerate the entire place for the good of the residents and the general populace.”

That was vintage Sanwo-Olu. He was compassionate and yet firm on salvaging the bad situation. It is the hallmark of leadership. It requires being tough and at the same time tender. Sanwo-Olu assured them that they would be provided shops to sell their wares after sanity is restored to the environment.

In the same vein, in preparations for the flood alert warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) the Lagos State government has been clearing all major drainages across the state to avert the flood crisis. 

No doubt, Lagos is safe in the hands of Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The plans he has for Lagos are for the good of the people. In all sectors, the state is fortunate and making progress.

 Adebayo writes from Lagos