The monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ikorodu, Lagos State, witnessed low participation on Saturday as many residents stayed indoors, with rainfall and recent Eid-el-Kabir celebrations cited as key reasons for noncompliance.
A monitoring visit across areas such as Garage, Igbogbo/Baiyeku and surrounding communities showed limited public engagement, with streets, drains and open spaces largely unattended.
Some residents attributed the low turnout to persistent rainfall in recent days, which they said discouraged outdoor cleaning activities.
A resident of Igbogbo, Rasheed Balogun, explained that unpredictable weather conditions made it difficult for people to participate, noting that rain often undermines cleaning efforts by washing waste back into drainage channels.
Similarly, a trader in Offin-Oreta, Bose Ogunleye, said the recent Eid-el-Kabir celebrations also contributed to the poor turnout, as many families were either travelling, visiting relatives or still recovering from festive activities and expenses.
However, some residents expressed concern over the low level of participation, stressing that sanitation efforts are even more important during the rainy season.
Oladipo Akinola from Awesu noted that blocked drainage systems increase the risk of flooding, urging residents to remain committed to keeping their environment clean despite weather conditions.
Another resident, Adedayo Igbekoyi of Igbe, also appealed for greater responsibility among community members, saying excuses such as rainfall or festivities should not prevent routine environmental cleaning.
She added that maintaining a clean environment helps reduce the spread of diseases and minimises flood risks, which are typically higher during the rainy season.
Meanwhile, some participants in the exercise called for stronger public awareness campaigns by community leaders and relevant authorities to improve compliance.
They emphasised that sustained participation in sanitation activities would significantly enhance environmental hygiene and help mitigate flooding challenges in Ikorodu communities.