The Lagos State Government has urged residents to make environmental sanitation a daily responsibility rather than wait for government-led exercises.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, made the call during the September sanitation monitoring on Saturday.
The exercise was held at Otto Road, Ijora Olopa, Lagos Mainland Local Government.
Agoro said the exercise, which began six months ago, had recorded improving turnout, but residents could do more.
He said residents often waited for government officials to arrive before cleaning their surroundings instead of taking responsibility for their environment.
“We want to see people already cleaning outside, by the time we come,” Agoro said.
The Head of Service said environmental sanitation was a continuous exercise that would be sustained by successive administrations.
He urged residents to understand that cleanliness began with individuals and should not be left entirely to the government.
“Government cannot come inside your house and clean your bathroom and clean your toilet. It starts with you,” he said.
Agoro said maintaining a clean environment would help reduce sickness and airborne diseases while promoting healthier communities.
He said the foundation for sustained environmental sanitation had been laid, but compliance could still improve.
Agoro said government officials would continue monitoring and sensitising residents while supporting communities to maintain environmental cleanliness.
He commended the Executive Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Mayor Jubril Emilagba, for mobilising residents for the exercise.
Also speaking, Emilagba said the council’s partnership with residents remained essential to sustaining environmental cleanliness across the local government area.
He said community development associations and community development committees had joined the exercise alongside residents.
“We advise our people to continue to tidy up their area, not once in a month, but on a regular basis,” Emilagba said.
The chairman said the local government had overcome its recent refuse crisis, adding that its areas were currently clean.
“The era of refuse crisis in our local government has passed; it ended last month,” he said.
Emilagba expressed satisfaction with the level of cleanliness observed during the exercise and urged residents to sustain the practice.
He said the council would continue encouraging residents to maintain clean homes and surroundings.
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