Ambode: Lagos State Governor.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Friday urged residents to cooperate and support the state government to achieve a clean and flood-free state.

Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the call at the inauguration of the State’s Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

He said that sanitation was his administration’s priority, as it was important for maintaining a secured and more prosperous state.

”As I did promise at the commencement of this administration, we shall continue to implement creative concepts and ideas that reduce the cost of running government.

”Ideas that create a more beautiful and healthier Lagos; while residents are assured of a more prosperous and happier livelihood.

”This initiative will usher in a new financially viable and technology-driven sub-sector to the state’s economy and the country at large.

”Our commitment to attain the Smart-City status for our state is unwavering and cannot be sacrificed at the altar of poor sanitation and inefficient solid waste management,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, urged the corps members to represent the interest of the state government by shunning any act of extortion.

Obasa, who was represented by Mr Oludayo Fafunmi, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, said that the initiative was a transformation project that would boost the reputation of the state.

”Gov. Ambode proposed this transformation project and the state assembly should be commended for passing this initiative into law.

”I urge the corps members not to see this project as a means of extorting the public or indulge in any act that will bring the state to disrepute,” Obasa said.

In his remarks, Dr Samuel Adejare, State Commissioner for the Environment, said that CLI would focus on improving the environment to make it cleaner, safer and healthier for residents.

Adejare said that CLI would be achieved by promoting a harmonised and holistic approach to environmental challenges and improve operational efficiency.

”A total of 920 persons were recruited into the corps to enforce, monitor, regulate and report breach of the environmental laws for adequate sanctions.

”The initiative is geared towards addressing the challenges in the solid waste management systems within the state, while also aiming to protect the environment, human health and social living standards of residents,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration comes on the heels of appeals by some traders for better performance by waste managers in the state.

Traders at the Ipaja Market, Lagos, had on Tuesday appealed to the state government to address the accumulating refuse at the market to safeguard their health as well as that of customers.

The traders told NAN that the heap of refuse at the market, which had accumulated for over three months, was a threat to their health.

“This odour from the mountain of refuse here is just unbearable. We don’t know what to do.

“We hear there is a problem between the state government and the waste managers over the evacuation of refuse in parts of the state.

“We are appealing to government to resolve whatever the problem with these people for the safety of our health.

“Look at the heap. It is as high as six feet, producing serious odour because it has not been cleared for months.

“This is epidemic in waiting. Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode should act quickly,’’ said, Mrs Mulikat Bello, a trader at the market.

Another trader, Mr Kasumu Liadi, said that eating had been very difficult for him at the market because of the offensive odour.

Liadi, a meat seller, said he had done his business with great discomfort at the market for the past three months.

“This kind of thing should not happen at all because people’s health is at risk.

“Several things are sold here, including food items, so there is the great risk of contamination and threat to health.

“We hear on the radio that government and PSP people are having disagreements. The government should act fast because health is as stake here,” he said.

Another trader, Mrs Morenike Adelani said refuse in the market was an eyesore and a dent on the achievements of Gov. Ambode.

She added that the same way refuse was piling up uncleared in the market was the same it was in several parts of Lagos.

A customer at the market, Mrs Maria Adeyemi, said shopping had not been exciting in the past few months because of the stench from the mountain of refuse.

She said since the government had outlawed the patronage of cart pushers to clear refuse, it was their duty to perfect the approved Private Sector Participation (PSP) system to promptly clear refuse and prevent build-up.

(NAN)