No Court Stopped Saturday Environmental Sanitation, Lagos Declares
Lagos State Government Confirms Resumption of Saturday Sanitation Exercise
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has refuted claims that a court has prohibited the resumption of its Saturday environmental sanitation exercise. In a statement released Friday, Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized that no judicial order exists to impede the program.
Wahab clarified that a recent judgment from the Court of Appeal upheld the laws governing the implementation and enforcement of environmental sanitation as both legitimate and constitutional.
“Tomorrow morning, between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., we begin a new chapter in our collective journey toward a cleaner Lagos,” Wahab stated. “I am calling on every resident to come out and participate actively.”
He addressed the misinformation circulating regarding the legality of the initiative, asserting that there has been no court ruling invalidating the exercise. “The State proceeded to the Court of Appeal, and judgment was delivered in our favor. Disregard those who choose to mislead the public,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the revival of the sanitation exercise follows public complaints and a year of planning aimed at improving the city’s environmental conditions.
“We have planned this for over a year. We cannot keep complaining about dirty surroundings and blaming the government while shirking our own responsibilities. The care of our environment is a collaborative project between government and citizens,” Wahab added.
Additionally, Wahab indicated that major transport unions, which account for approximately 90% of vehicle operations on Lagos roads, have committed to suspending services during the sanitation hours.
“If government vehicles are staying put, what will it cost us to stay home for just two hours to clean our environment?” he questioned, while also mentioning exceptions for emergencies, scheduled flights, and students taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
He further revealed that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is fully mobilized to manage waste generated during the exercise. Environmental health officers will monitor compliance, and properties failing to adhere to regulations will receive abatement notices.
“Let us show Lagos and the world that we are ready to take ownership of our environment. Two hours. One Saturday each month. A cleaner, healthier, flood-free Lagos for all of us,” Wahab concluded.
