By Esther Onyegbula

Residents of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area turned out in large numbers on Saturday to participate in the second edition of the reintroduced monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise, with the council leadership commending the level of compliance recorded across communities.

The exercise, which was monitored by the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Olalekan Olu Akindipe, saw residents cleaning streets, drainage channels and public spaces despite the festive season.

Akindipe, who led the monitoring team across the local government area, described the response of residents as encouraging and a reflection of the people’s commitment to maintaining a cleaner environment.

The sanitation exercise commenced at the council secretariat, with the chairman and members of his team trekking to Boundary while clearing refuse and dirt along the route.

As part of efforts to strengthen waste management and sustain the exercise, the chairman procured nine compactors, one for each ward in the council area, alongside other sanitation materials.

He also distributed sacks, nose masks and waste disposal nylon bags to residents participating in the exercise.

Honourable councillors and supervisors were also deployed to their various wards to monitor the exercise and ensure full compliance by residents.

Speaking during the exercise, Akindipe reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting environmental cleanliness and public health in the council area.

“The importance of cleanliness cannot be overemphasized, and our government will continue to educate and inform the community about the benefits of living in a clean environment,” he said.

He added that the monthly sanitation initiative was aimed at instilling environmental responsibility among residents and improving hygiene standards across the local government.

The chairman further disclosed that the reintroduced Environmental Sanitation Exercise would now hold on the last Saturday of every month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Residents who participated in the exercise commended the initiative, noting that it would help reduce indiscriminate waste disposal and improve environmental sanitation within the communities.