The Lagos government says no court has nullified the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The monthly clean-up exercise was suspended in November 2016
after a court ruled that restricting residents’ movement during sanitation
hours violated their fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of
movement.
However, the Lagos state government approached the court of
appeal to challenge the decision.
After consultations and policy reviews, the government later
announced the reintroduction of the exercise, adopting a two-hour window on the
last Saturday of every month.
In a post on X on Friday, Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for
environment and water resources, said the state secured a favourable judgement
at the court of appeal, which affirmed the legality of the laws guiding
environmental sanitation.
Wahab asked residents to disregard claims that the exercise
had been invalidated by the court.
“Let me address the confusion some have tried to create. No
court pronouncement has invalidated this exercise. The State proceeded to the
Court of Appeal, and judgment was delivered in our favour,” the statement
reads.
“The Court affirmed that the laws used for the
implementation and enforcement of environmental sanitation are legitimate and
constitutional. So, disregard those who choose to mislead the public.”
He noted that exemptions would be allowed during the
sanitation period for emergencies, scheduled flights, and candidates writing
the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.
The sanitation exercise is scheduled to hold on Saturday
between 6:30am and 8:30am, with controlled movement across the state.
To guide implementation, the Wahab said enforcement officers
from relevant agencies, including the ministry of environment, the Lagos State
Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), the
Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and local government sanitation
inspectors will monitor compliance.
The commissioner added that LAWMA trucks would be deployed
to evacuate waste generated during the exercise, while defaulters risk
sanctions in line with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection
Law of 2017.
He also said the state will introduce incentives, including
rewards for the cleanest local government areas and streets, to encourage
participation and competition among residents.
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