Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, has made it clear that environmental laws in Lagos State will be impartially enforced, regardless of individuals’ tribe, ethnicity, or religion. Speaking at the Lagos East District Stakeholders’ meeting titled ‘Environmental Sanitation Management in Lagos State: the Role of Communities and other Stakeholders’, Wahab reaffirmed the government’s commitment to shutting down any market that fails to maintain cleanliness standards.

According to a report by The Guardian, Wahab emphasized the importance of maintaining hygienic marketplaces for both vendors and customers. “Our vigilance is constant. Markets found not adhering to cleanliness standards will face closure until proper hygiene practices become routine,” he stated. He also urged residents to consistently pay their waste disposal rates, warning that defaulters who resort to roadside trash disposal will face legal consequences.

Representing the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps was Deputy Corps Marshal (Intelligence) Ganiyu Salami, who highlighted the agency’s dedication to environmental sanity. He stressed the significance of community involvement in maintaining a clean environment, stating, “The journey to a cleaner, healthier, and sustainable Lagos is a collective effort, not just the government’s responsibility.”

Salami encouraged stakeholders to adopt regular environmental sanitation practices, emphasizing their impact in preventing disease spread, reducing pollution, and conserving natural resources. Simple acts like proper waste disposal and recycling play a crucial role in this mission.

The forum also served as an educational platform for stakeholders, including community development associations, traders, and market leaders. Discussions centered on the importance of a clean environment and the adverse effects of poor waste management, particularly during the rainy season.