By Bababunmi Agbebi
Edited by Ezennia Uche
The Lagos State Government has officially refuted reports suggesting that it has reinstated the previously suspended monthly environmental sanitation exercise, urging residents to disregard what it described as misleading and inaccurate information circulating in parts of the media and online platforms.
In a statement issued by the state authorities, officials clarified that there has been no directive reintroducing restrictions on movement during specific sanitation hours, nor any formal announcement mandating residents to participate in a statewide environmental cleanup on designated Saturdays.
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was once a longstanding public health initiative in Lagos, typically observed on the last Saturday of every month between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. During the exercise, movement was restricted to encourage residents to clean their homes, markets, drainage systems, and immediate surroundings.
However, the exercise was suspended several years ago as the government shifted toward more structured and sustainable waste management strategies, including private sector participation and strengthened regulatory enforcement.
According to state officials, any decision to reintroduce the sanitation exercise would be formally communicated through official government channels. They emphasized that, as of now, no such policy has been approved.
The government reiterated its commitment to maintaining environmental cleanliness through existing frameworks overseen by agencies such as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
Authorities encouraged residents to continue practicing proper waste disposal, clearing drainage systems responsibly, and adhering to environmental regulations designed to keep the state clean and flood-free.
Officials reaffirmed that environmental cleanliness remains a shared responsibility between government agencies and residents, but clarified that there is currently no reinstated monthly sanitation restriction in Lagos.
