By Esther Onyegbula

Residents of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area turned out in large numbers on Saturday to participate in the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, as council authorities intensified enforcement and supervision across major roads and communities.

The exercise, observed between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., saw households, traders and community groups cleaning drainages and surroundings, with officials distributing waste bags and baskets to support proper disposal.

Speaking during a monitoring tour, the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Olalekan Olu Akindipe, said the renewed sanitation programme by the Lagos State Government requires full compliance from all stakeholders.

“We all know the Lagos State Government has brought back the monthly sanitation programme and all authorities must abide by it. That is why you see everyone on the ground in preparation,” he said.
He stressed that residents must take ownership of their environment, noting that improved sanitation would significantly impact public health and infrastructure.

“People need to stay in their homes during the exercise to clean their surroundings. Cleanliness is godliness. In the past decade, we saw the condition of Lagos. The environment was becoming increasingly dirty. With this programme, we will ensure cleaner surroundings and also clear blocked drainages,” Akindipe added.

The chairman disclosed that councillors across all wards were mobilised to ensure compliance at the grassroots, while he personally supervised activities along major expressways.

“We have directed all councillors to monitor the exercise in their wards. As chairman, I am also going round to ensure total compliance. Ajeromi-Ifelodun residents are law-abiding, so we expect full cooperation,” he said.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chairman of the council, Hon. Ajibola Ololade Ugbo-Anite, described the level of compliance as encouraging but noted there was room for improvement.

“The compliance was good enough, but it can be better. By the next exercise, we expect a higher level of participation,” she said.

Highlighting the health benefits, she added: “Health is wealth. When people clean their environment, gutters are cleared, mosquitoes are reduced, and children can grow and play in a healthier space.”
Similarly, the wife of the council chairman, Mrs. Bolanle Akindipe, who participated in the exercise, rated compliance at about 70 per cent, attributing the turnout to sustained awareness campaigns.

“We carried out awareness three days ago, and today we are seeing the results. I will rate compliance at 70 per cent. This should serve as a wake-up call for everyone,” she said.

She emphasised that environmental cleanliness could attract investment and improve living conditions in the community.

“A clean environment encourages development and investment. More importantly, it helps us maintain our drainages, which is critical for our people,” she added.

On his part, the Leader of the council, Hon. Samson Olayinka Olalekan, said the exercise was widely embraced by residents and conducted peacefully.

“The turnout was very impressive, and the exercise went smoothly. We expect even greater participation in subsequent exercises because that is how we can achieve a cleaner Ajeromi-Ifelodun,” he said.

He noted that the reintroduction of the sanitation programme had long been demanded by residents.
“For years, people have been clamouring for the return of this exercise due to the increasing level of dirt in Lagos. Today, they are happy it is back,” he added.

Corroborating the reports, the Head Marshal of the council, Oluwafemi Emmanuel, said enforcement teams ensured strict adherence to guidelines.

“Compliance is good. Instructions were followed, and we ensured proper enforcement. Environmental sanitation is not just about waste disposal; it is about public health. A dirty environment exposes people to infections,” he said.

He added that the exercise would reduce illness and improve overall well-being.

“Our target is to ensure a clean environment. When the surroundings are clean, people fall sick less, and the quality of life improves,” he said.

Despite early morning rainfall in some parts of the council, residents and traders reportedly came out en masse to clean their surroundings, while council officials maintained presence across key locations to supervise the exercise.