The Lagos State government has intensified its efforts to combat open defecation, leading to the recent arrest of 20 individuals caught engaging in the act.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement on X.com (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.
Wahab revealed that the arrests were made during a patrol by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) in the Ojodu-Berger area, where the offenders were apprehended for committing environmental infractions.
“During patrol and monitoring of Ojodu-Berger yesterday night and early hours of today, operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps #LAGESCOfficial arrested 20 individuals for committing environmental infractions,” the statement read.
The crackdown on open defecation comes after a stakeholder engagement meeting on Thursday, where the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, Major Olatunbosun Olaniyi Cole (Rtd), stated that the issue is severe.
Cole highlighted the recent cholera outbreak in Lagos as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by open defecation, stressing the need for urgent action.
“Open defecation is a menace to our society, and we must work together to eradicate it. The recent cholera outbreak in our state underscores the urgency of addressing this challenge,” Cole stated.
He added that the state government is constructing additional toilet facilities to improve sanitation infrastructure. A 24-hour monitoring plan would be implemented to ensure effective supervision and enforcement in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
Also at the meeting, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), vowed to take action against those who fail to pay for waste collection services.
Gbadegesin, represented by Assistant Director Kemi Salami, noted the low compliance rate in payment for waste management, which has compounded the state’s waste disposal challenges.
Gbadegesin urged residents to fulfil their obligations and report any lapses in service to their local LAWMA offices.
He also warned that officers who neglected their duties would face suspension.
Additionally, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, represented by Director Tope Ilori, called on market women across Lagos to provide smart waste bins in markets to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and enhance sanitation efforts.
