The Lagos State Government on Wednesday terminated the
monthly environmental sanitation exercise which hitherto held for three hours
on the last Saturday of every month.
The State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the decision to cancel the monthly exercise followed a resolution arrived at Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting which approved the need for a robust review of the environmental laws and procedures in the state in order to meet the present day challenges and to promote a clean and healthy environment.
The State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the decision to cancel the monthly exercise followed a resolution arrived at Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting which approved the need for a robust review of the environmental laws and procedures in the state in order to meet the present day challenges and to promote a clean and healthy environment.
The Government noted that considering the present economic
situation in the country, it was no longer appropriate to restrict movement of
people for three hours in a mega city like Lagos at a time they should be
pursuing commercial and entrepreneurial activities.
According to government, in the last two
decades, Lagos has grown exponentially into a mega city with the attendant huge
environmental problems associated with managing a population of over twenty
million people.
But sadly, the environmental laws, policies and procedures
being practiced in the State have not been able to match the phenomenal growth
and the dream of a 24-hour economy, hence the need for the reform.
Ayorinde said the State Government was not unaware of a recent Court of Appeal judgment.
Ayorinde said the State Government was not unaware of a recent Court of Appeal judgment.
According to him, the thrust of the fresh initiatives, among
others, is to promote holistic and modern solutions to the unique environmental
challenges confronting the State, while encouraging citizens to voluntarily
partner with government to achieve the desired goals.
The Statement said: “After a careful consideration, the State
Executive Council has therefore resolved that the present economic climate can
no longer support the continued lock down of a mega city like Lagos, when the
citizens should be free to engage in commercial and entrepreneurial activities
that can promote economic growth and prosperity.
“Furthermore, Government will also accelerate the introduction of fresh reforms through the passage of the new harmonized environmental laws that will drive meaningful changes in areas of harmonized billing, waste management, modern Landfill sites, noise pollution, introduction of an Environmental Trust Fund and an Environmental Advisory Council.
“Furthermore, Government will also accelerate the introduction of fresh reforms through the passage of the new harmonized environmental laws that will drive meaningful changes in areas of harmonized billing, waste management, modern Landfill sites, noise pollution, introduction of an Environmental Trust Fund and an Environmental Advisory Council.
“The Government wishes to reiterate its strong commitment to
a clean and secure environment for the benefit of its citizens, and will
continue to provide the necessary leadership to meet the environmental
challenges of a mega city like Lagos. Lagosians and visitors alike are
therefore urged to embrace these changes and imbibe a culture of voluntarily
maintaining and preserving their environment to create a beautiful and healthy
city that we all can be proud of.”
The statement added that the State Government would
henceforth be tougher in ensuring expeditious enforcement against contraventions
of its policies and regulations and as such, residents should voluntarily
comply with the necessary laws and support government in its bid to have a
clean and healthy environment.
STEVE AYORINDE
COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATON & STRATEGY
LAGOS STATE
NOVEMBER 23, 2016