The Lagos State Government has released new guidelines for the monthly environmental sanitation exercise ahead of its resumption on April 25.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a post on X on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the exercise will now hold on the last Saturday of every month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
“Following the symbolic flag off of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise along the Mushin Agege Motor Road corridor on Saturday, March 14th, 2026, I wish to provide further clarity on the modalities of the programme as we prepare for the first exercise on Saturday, April 25th, 2026,” the statement read.
Wahab explained that there will be controlled movement across the state during the sanitation window to allow residents clean their homes, surroundings, and drainage channels.
He said enforcement will be carried out by officials from the Ministry of Environment, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), the Lagos Waste Management Authority, and local government sanitation inspectors.
According to him, defaulters will be sanctioned in line with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
“LAWMA intervention trucks will go around to cart away bagged wastes generated during the exercise,” he said.
He also announced a new incentive system aimed at boosting participation and compliance.
“I also wish to announce that there will be rewards for the cleanest Local Government Area, Local Council Development Area, and the cleanest street as part of efforts to encourage healthy competition and community participation.”
Wahab urged residents to support the initiative, saying it is aimed at promoting a cleaner and safer environment across the state.
The monthly sanitation exercise is returning nine years after it was suspended in November 2016 following a court ruling that challenged restrictions on movement during the exercise. The Court of Appeal had held that such restrictions violated citizens’ rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.
Before its suspension, the exercise was held on the last Saturday of every month between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
