By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Lagos State Government has embarked on total enforcement against environmental degradation with a vow to commence prosecution of individuals who engage in open defecation, particularly along the Berger Expressway, and rail lines, among others.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has ordered 24-hour operation of public toilets around Berger Bus Stop, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, aimed at checkmating the menace of open defecation.

This is coming as Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, LSNC, popularly called KAI, held a stakeholders management meeting, where the Corp Marshal, Major, Olaniyi Cole, (Retd), declared immediate total enforcement, placing officers on red alert.

Meanwhile, during an advocacy and sanitation exercise on Thursday, where the environment operatives cleaned the faeces that littered the median of the Berger Expressway, preceding the enforcement activities, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services Gaji Omobolaji, said the enforcement action was aimed at preventing the spread of communicable diseases like cholera and diarrhea in the state.

Gaji accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olawale Musa and other Directors of the two Ministries, said the enforcement team comprising of the anti-open defecation squad, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), and other enforcement agencies would commence operation immediately after the Advocacy/ sensitisation campaign.

He added that the enforcement teams would work in shifts to apprehend and prosecute offenders in accordance with the environmental laws of the state.

The Permanent Secretary said it is appalling and shameful to find people defecating openly and in open places especially on the road and road medians saying, “These actions are unacceptable and require a lasting solution to totally eradicate the menace” which is why the state has resorted to undertaking enforcement and prosecution after the sensitisation exercise.

Gaji maintained that anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law with the hope that it will serve as a deterrent to others and ensure that the fight against open defecation is sustained.

He informed that the proprietor of a Total Filling Station located at Berger Expressway had been magnanimous to donate five toilet rooms facility in the filling station to the public free of charge.

Gaji added that another toilet facility of eight rooms was fully operational at Berger Bustop garage, urging those still in the habit of open defecation to turn a new leaf by patronising public toilets near them or face the consequences of their action.

“The toilets are not enough but we have plans to construct more toilets that will have its own water treatment plant and will be able to recycle its water so that the whole ecosystem can be preserved; you will start seeing the implementation soon,” he said.

Gaji said in winning the war against open defecation, “there is a need for all to come together and prioritize the usage of clean and accessible toilet facilities in communities, and public spaces,” stressing that “it is also necessary to have educational programs that raise awareness about the importance of proper sanitation.”

The Permanent Secretary said the health implications of open defecation on the economy is enormous adding that whenever there is a disease outbreak, the government has to divert resources meant for economic growth to combat the spread of diseases.

Gaji noted that lack of access to clean toilets is a significant challenge to public health and well-being while assuring residents that the government is set to address the fundamental issues that affect the safety and future of the State.

He thereafter urged all residents to join hands with the government to ensure a cleaner, healthier, and sustainable environment by instilling a culture of cleanliness which will be beneficial to present and future generations.

KAI talks tough

Cole, while speaking at the stakeholders meeting, charged officers to go full swing in enforcing the State Environmental Laws, particularly, open defecation, with the directive to arrest offenders irrespective of status or class.

“Enough is enough, we are moving to every area in the state on a clean-up exercise henceforth, to rid it of environmental nuisance. Any offender caught would be prosecuted accordingly,” he vowed.

Charging KAI officers, Cole, “There is no room for indolence. The state government will not condone any act of compromise. Go all out to bring all offenders to book as a deterrent. Lagos must remain clean for all.

“Any officer also caught engaging in compromising act or nature will be disciplined appropriately.”