Lagos State cancels monthly environmental sanitation exercise
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise which is observed across Lagos State every last Saturday of the month has been cancelled.
The Executive Council in a meeting on Wednesday, cited the need for a review of the environmental laws and procedures in the state in order to meet the present day challenges, as the reason for the cancellation.
“It is no longer appropriate to restrict movement of people for three hours in a mega city like Lagos at a time they should be pursuing commercial and entrepreneurial activities,” Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, said in a statement.
“In the last two decades, Lagos has grown exponentially into a mega city with the attendant huge environmental problems associated with managing a population of over twenty million people.
“But sadly, the environmental laws, policies and procedures being practiced in the State have not been able to match the phenomenal growth and the dream of a 24-hour economy, hence the need for the reform.”
Ayorinde said the Council arrived at the decision because Lagos as a mega city can’t afford to continue to shut down activities for several hours due to the present economic realities in the country.
“After a careful consideration, the State Executive Council has therefore resolved that the present economic climate can no longer support the continued lock down of a mega city like Lagos, when the citizens should be free to engage in commercial and entrepreneurial activities that can promote economic growth and prosperity,” the statement continued.
“Furthermore, Government will also accelerate the introduction of fresh reforms through the passage of the new harmonized environmental laws that will drive meaningful changes in areas of harmonized billing, waste management, modern Landfill sites, noise pollution, introduction of an Environmental Trust Fund and an Environmental Advisory Council.
“The Government wishes to reiterate its strong commitment to a clean and secure environment for the benefit of its citizens, and will continue to provide the necessary leadership to meet the environmental challenges of a mega city like Lagos.
“Lagosians and visitors alike are therefore urged to embrace these changes and imbibe a culture of voluntarily maintaining and preserving their environment to create a beautiful and healthy city that we all can be proud of.”
The State Government however urged residents to voluntarily comply with the necessary laws in order to have a clean and healthy environment.
