The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed that its monthly environmental sanitation exercise is still in force and will hold as planned, stressing that no court ruling has nullified the programme.
Ahead of Saturday’s exercise scheduled between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, dismissed reports suggesting the initiative had been stopped by a judicial decision.
Speaking via X on Friday, he maintained that the state had secured a favourable judgment at the Court of Appeal, which upheld the legality of the sanitation laws.
“No court pronouncement has invalidated this exercise. The state proceeded to the Court of Appeal, and judgment was delivered in our favour.
The court affirmed that the laws used for the implementation and enforcement of environmental sanitation are legitimate and constitutional,” he said.
He urged residents to ignore what he described as false claims about the programme’s legality.
“Disregard those who choose to mislead the public,” the statement added.
According to officials, the monthly exercise is the result of long-term planning and is aimed at improving environmental conditions across Lagos.
Wahab emphasised that maintaining a clean environment requires joint effort between the government and residents.
“We have planned this for over a year. We have thought it through. 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,” he added.
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The commissioner also pointed to support from major transport unions, noting that they had agreed to halt operations during the sanitation period to aid compliance.
“Major transport unions controlling about 90 percent of vehicles on our roads have pledged not to deploy their vehicles from major parks during the sanitation window.
“If government vehicles are staying put, what will it cost us to stay home for just two hours to clean our environment?” he asked.
Authorities clarified that exemptions would be granted in specific cases, including emergencies, air travel, and students sitting for examinations such as JAMB.
“We are not unreasonable. Exceptions exist for emergencies, scheduled flights, and students writing JAMB exams,” he averred.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority has been deployed to handle waste collection during the exercise, while environmental health officers will oversee compliance and issue abatement notices to offenders.
Wahab concluded by calling on residents to actively participate in the exercise for the benefit of the state.
“Tomorrow, 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,” he urged.