Residents of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have been encouraged to take greater responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean by actively participating in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The call was made by the Director of Environmental Health Services in the LCDA, Mrs Rachel Adebesi, during the May edition of the sanitation exercise held across the community.
Adebesi stressed that sustained public participation remains vital to maintaining a healthy and hygienic environment, noting that environmental cleanliness cannot be achieved by government efforts alone.
She observed that the latest exercise recorded noticeable improvements compared to previous situations, particularly with the reduction of refuse dumps on road medians and the absence of major waste black spots in several parts of the community.
According to her, the progress recorded since the reintroduction of the sanitation programme indicates growing awareness among residents about the importance of proper waste management.
While commending residents who participated, she noted that some individuals were still seen moving around during the restricted sanitation period.
Adebesi urged residents to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic duty, adding that collective action was necessary to achieve a cleaner and healthier community.
She disclosed that waste evacuation trucks were deployed across the LCDA’s five wards to collect refuse generated during the exercise.
The environmental health official further appealed for continued support from residents, emphasizing that improved sanitation contributes significantly to public health and environmental sustainability.
Also speaking, the Supervisor for Environment and Waste Management in the LCDA, Mr Olabode Okeowo, praised the Lagos State Government for restoring the monthly sanitation exercise.
He also acknowledged the support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Chairman of the LCDA, Mr Lukman Agbaje, and other stakeholders who have contributed to the success of the initiative.
Okeowo explained that sanitation activities were carried out simultaneously across the council’s five wards, covering both major roads and inner streets.
He encouraged residents to observe the sanitation period by staying indoors and using the time to clean their homes and immediate surroundings.
According to him, the exercise, which runs from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., has already begun yielding positive results across the council area.
He added that refuse compactors were deployed to remove waste indiscriminately dumped on road medians and other unauthorised locations.
Okeowo further disclosed that the council had established a task force made up of retired personnel and environmental stakeholders to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal and enforce environmental regulations.
Beyond enforcement, he said the council regularly conducts public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagements aimed at promoting proper waste management practices.
He explained that Community Development Committee meetings held on the last Friday of every month provide an avenue to educate landlords and tenants on responsible waste disposal.
Chairman of the Environment Committee and Councillor representing Ward B, Mrs Adetayo Ayodele, noted that participation during the May exercise was lower than the turnout recorded in April.
She attributed the decline partly to activities associated with the festive season but expressed confidence that participation levels would improve in future exercises.
Ayodele commended residents who took part in the exercise and described the sanitation exercise as successful across communities including Ayobo, Baruwa, Ipaja and Agodo-Egbe, reaffirming the council’s commitment to sustaining a cleaner environment.