The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has commenced a pre-festive cleaning operation in Ikoyi to clear blocked drainage channels and improve environmental sanitation ahead of increased human and vehicular activities during the festive season.
The exercise began with the cleaning of drainage channels along the Bourdillon, Alexander and Gerrard corridors as part of LAWMA’s wider plan to intensify sanitation operations in strategic parts of Lagos ahead of the festivities.
The operation is aimed at removing accumulated silt, refuse and other obstructions that could impede the free flow of stormwater.
Speaking during the exercise, LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ibrahim Odumboni Gbadegesin, said materials removed from the drainage channels were being evacuated immediately to prevent them from being washed back into the drains and creating fresh environmental problems.
He said clearing the channels would improve water flow while contributing to a cleaner and safer environment for residents, businesses and road users in Ikoyi.
Gbadegesin disclosed that the operation would continue on other streets in Ikoyi before extending to Victoria Island and other parts of Lagos under the authority’s pre-festive sanitation programme.
He urged residents, businesses and other stakeholders to keep drainage channels free of refuse and ensure that their waste was properly packaged and handed over to accredited Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators for proper disposal.
The LAWMA boss also appealed to residents and businesses to cooperate with sanitation personnel by providing unhindered access to areas requiring attention and avoiding activities that could obstruct cleaning operations.
Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to sustaining strategic environmental sanitation operations across Lagos, stressing that keeping the state clean was a shared responsibility.
He urged residents and visitors to dispose of waste responsibly and support efforts to maintain a cleaner, healthier and more liveable Lagos, particularly during the busy festive period.
