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.
