…as governor targets 20,000 trees in one year to combat climate change
Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has berated residents for abusing the environment and vandalising public infrastructure, especially those guarding against flooding.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at a sensitization programme on Sunday, July 14, to herald the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation. The programme, held at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island, is the first of others to come, according to the governor.
It also coincided with the 2024 Tree Planting Day, themed ‘Nurture our Future’.
The governor expressed disappointment that public infrastructure and facilities which should safeguard the environment are being vandalised, especially manholes that should drain water off the roads thereby preventing flooding, have been removed from some roads on the Island. He warned that henceforth, whoever is caught will face the wrath of the law.
He said: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness. We cannot watch our environment debased. Our hospitals are full due to our unhygienic environment caused by the carefree attitude of residents.
“We monitored the environment earlier in the day and saw indiscriminate dumping of refuse in canals, manholes already removed from roads; this environmental nuisance is unacceptable. It’s a shame that our people engage in vandalising public infrastructure despite government’s efforts and huge funding. This kind of people do not deserve to be among us.
“The Ministry of the Environment will set up units that will address the situation while environmental offenders will face the full weight of the law when caught.
“The era of uncleanliness is over in Lagos, that’s why we are kicking off this sensitization/advocacy campaign today from Lagos Island. This must start from homes, schools, markets, offices. Government cannot do it alone, we have to work together.
“It is our goal to further educate residents on the need to take ownership of their environment and ensure they continuously clean their surroundings, dispose waste responsibly while acknowledging that we must sustain this as our own contribution towards maintaining a sustainable environment.
“From next Saturday, we will begin sensitisation programmes where we will be on the road cleaning and desilting water channels weekly. After an exhaustive sensitisation, enlightenment and advocacy, we will then make it a law to be done monthly to ensure we improve the cleanliness of our environment of a state we are proud of.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu added that about 200,000 waste bins have been procured for refuse management and will be distributed to communities soon, while LAWMA will be sharing waste bags of different colours and sizes across the metropolis to enhance proper waste disposal that would also complement measures in preventing diseases.
According to him, the sensitisation will be the start of conversations to make people see and understand why the monthly sanitation must be re-introduced.
“This will start the conversation on how and why we should re-introduce the monthly sanitation exercise. We will push round the state on our plans to begin a collective process of environmental cleanliness,” he added.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab described the sensitization as ‘a bold step of the Sanwo-Olu administration towards improving the general well-being of the citizenry as well as bequeathing a safe, clean, flood free and sustainable environment to the people’.
According to him, government was considering re-introducing the exercise due to the poor sanitation habits of residents. He urged Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Committees (CDCs), market operators, among others, to prioritise environmental sanitation.
He added: “The monthly environmental sanitation was a culture in Lagos some years back to promote a clean and healthy environment, encourage community participation in waste management and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
“I will like to say that as the government embarks on this cleaning exercise, all residents are encouraged to clean their homes, surroundings, drainages in front of their houses and streets while LAWMA officials would always be on ground to collect well bagged waste and dispose them properly.
“I want you to always bear in mind that undertaking the sanitation of our environment provides the ground for people to become hygienic to safeguard their health.
“All MDAs under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources would rejig every aspect of their activities and synergise to continually deliver a clean and healthy environment to the people. We believe this initiative will ensure that flooding is reduced to the barest minimum for the good of the people.”
During the tree planting at the State House in Marina, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the government will be planting about 20,000 trees as part of efforts to beat climate change and attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said: “Tree planting is important to save the earth and curb climate change. And so this annual ritual is a demonstration of our administration’s commitment to securing our environment and combating climate change.
“We will continue this initiative all year round so we can achieve that target fast. We will particularly be planting every month so we can spread the message to the larger community. We will plant about 20,000 trees in the next 12 months to boost our efforts at fighting climate change.”
General Manager of the Lagos State Parks and Garden (LASPARK) Mrs. Adetoun Popoola reiterated the agency’s readiness to support the governor’s dream of planting more trees in the next 12 months.
She said: “This year’s theme ‘Nurture our Future’, aligns with the global focus on ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience’ as highlighted on World Environment Day.
“It is another reminder for us all on the vital role that trees play in maintaining ecological balance. Trees are nature’s most powerful tool in combating climate change, preventing soil erosion, and improving air quality. They are essential in our fight against desertification and in enhancing our resilience to drought.
“The theme is therefore a call to action. It is a reminder that the decisions we make today will shape the world we leave for future generations. To this end, the agency will be establishing six ‘Eco-Friendly Playgrounds’ in public primary schools across the state. We will also be distributing free tree seedlings to interested persons to plant in their communities.
“By planting trees, we are investing in the health and well-being of our planet and our communities. Each tree planted today is a step towards a greener, more sustainable Lagos.”
