….decries unhygienic state of Alayabiagba Mart, environs

.as traditional chief, market leaders, residents call for return of monthly sanitation exercise

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government has expressed dissatisfaction with the level of sanitation in Alayabiagba Market and Ajegunle environs, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, calling on relevant authorities to abate or be sanctioned.

It however, said plans have been concluded to distribute smart waste bins for every tenement in the metropolis.

The Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, who made the remark on Sunday, during the ongoing community-based sanitation awareness and sensitisation programme in the state, noted that despite shut-down few months ago after series of unheeded warnings to shun filth and embrace proper environmental hygiene, around Alayabiagba Markets, the area has remained an eyesore.

Also, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had recently, dropped the hint at the possibility of the return of monthly environmental sanitation to Lagos State, following what he described as “appalling state” of uncleanliness observed in communities across the State.

The Governor spoke at the kick-off a community-based enlightenment and advocacy forum on the Island, aimed at creating awareness about the need to encourage community participation in continuous sanitation and waste management, thereby reducing the risk of disease outbreaks.

The weekly action to sanitise the environment was flagged off at Campos Stadium on Lagos Island, where the Governor further explained the importance of regular sanitation for healthy living. He urged residents to also make continuous cleaning of their homes, surrounding and street drainages a priority onward.

The Special Adviser was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Omobolaji Gaji and Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, LAGESC, KAI Marshal, Major Olatunbosun Cole (Retd), Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who earlier engaged in cleaning the drainage on Mobil Road, Ajegunle removing refuse dumped along the median. The refuse was immediately carted away by a waste truck.

According to him, “As we all know all forms of diseases are spread through contaminated water and food that are results of unhygienic and poor sanitation practices such as open defecation, poor waste management and poor personal hygiene among others. As such our sanitation exercise should be an everyday practice and not only on specific days.”

Rotimi-Akodu explained that the state is embarking on this advocacy campaign to ensure that the citizens voluntarily embrace the culture continuity, adding that if there is no positive change government may consider a reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercises which the state executive members are presently considering.

The Special Adviser, who expressed dissatisfaction over the state of the market, said such pose a threat to the Clean Lagos Initiative, stressing that a dirty environment is inimical to public health and undermined the mega city status of the state.

On the Smart Bin, he said it had become necessary to monitor the activities of Private Sector Participants, PSP operators as well as the refuse disposal rate of residents, appealing to residents and market leaders in the area to make clean environment a priority as they go about their daily business activities.

Roitimi-Akodu noted that it was unfortunate that the state was one of the states where Cholera broke out, adding that “this is a result of persistent insanitary habits of some of the residents.”

“An environment that is not clean will encourage all sorts of unscrupulous elements. We should not wait for an epidemic to happen before we start doing the right thing,” Rotimi-Akodu stated.

Gbadegeshin explained that the State Government would soon role out Smart Bins with notifications for all houses, stressing that the chips attached to the bins would notify LAWMA when the PSP Operators fail to pick up wastes at the appropriate time and residents should always patronise the PSP operators and not the cart pushers.

He said safe, clean and sustainable environment is the function of all residents and not the government alone adding that everyone must make good sanitation practices a way of life and support the effort of the government.

Gbadegeshin said, “This sensitization campaign aims to promote a culture of compliance and create a more livable city for all residents.”

He however, sought collaboration with market associations, local authorities, and relevant stakeholders, to ensure the success of the exercise, adding that the agency would provide guidance and support to markets, towards establishing efficient waste management systems that comply with established regulations.

Clamour for return of monthly sanitation exercise

In their responses, a cross section of the community leaders including the Baale, Babaloja of Ajeromi Ifelodun and Community Development Committee, CDC, Chairman present all appealed to the State Government to reconsider the introduction of monthly sanitation exercise.

The clamored that in the very recent past most market and areas had waste police which prevented littering, adding more people needed to be enlisted to become LAWMA policemen in every neighbourhood.