As part of efforts to encourage cleanliness and creative management of the environment, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has given awards of recognition to the cleanest Local Government, cleanest local government headquarters, Cleanest market, primary healthcare centre, motor park and the cleanest government department and agency.
The presentation of the awards at the Adeyemi Beero Auditorium in Alausa Ikeja marked the close of the annual sanitation Competition amongst Local government and Local Council Development Areas, LCDA.
The awards were in categories of Metropolitan, Urban and Sub-urban, with
Surulere local government area going home with the highest number of awards as the cleanest LGA in the Metropolitan category, cleanest local government headquarters and the award for the best green innovation and creativity.
Other winners in the urban and Sub Urban include Epe LGA, Oriade LCDA and all winners went home with a branded Suzuki mini bus.
Simpson Primary Healthcare Centre in Mainland local government, won in the health category, Binukonu market in Ojota clinched the award of the cleanest market and the Ojota/Owena park emerged as the cleanest motor park.
In a remark during the ceremony, the wife of the State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu noted that the annual sanitation competition amongst all LGAs/LCDAs to assess the sanitation status of the entire State and reward the LGAs/LCDAs that are outstanding in areas of environmental management was aimed at closing the gap created by the cancellation of monthly sanitation.
Represented by Mrs Oyindamola Ogunsanwo Dr Sanwo-Olu pointed out that though the unsanitary conditions of some communities within the State are of great concern and require a great sanitary awakening, the task should not be left to government alone.
“Much of the failure of service delivery to people and communities, and lack of sustainable outcomes are direct results of the non-inclusiveness of the people.
Therefore, there should be real collaboration and full participation by the communities and governments at all levels to achieve great improvements in our environmental sanitation, maintenance, and patronage of public infrastructures for better service delivery” she said
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello explained that LGAs/LCDAs have a major role too play in ensuring a truly cleaner Lagos and charged them to be alive to their responsibilities.
He said “While several strategies may be available for managing these challenges, monitoring and interventions at the level of the LGs/LCDAs will go a long way to achieve a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for the citizens. It will not only contribute to improved sanitation for communities. In a rapidly urbanizing society like ours in Lagos, sustainable solid waste management practices remains a key challenge facing most communities while poor collection and management cause air and water pollution, as well as marine litters and contribute to climate change.
Sadly, our Local Government authorities have abdicated their constitutional responsibilities on solid waste management which is one their basic functions. The interventions carried out by the State since 2003 are targeted towards building required capacities and make it business friendly for private sector investments. Hence, the setting of new criteria for solid waste management in the State and transfer of the responsibility to the State Government through LAWMA with and proper legislative backing. Our LGAs/LCDAs must have a change of orientation and be alive to their constitutional responsibilities through working towards acquiring the needed capacities”
Mr Bello further explained that the annual environmental sanitation competition among LGA and LCDAs was meant to raise peoples’ consciousness on the need to prioritize sanitation and be a vehicle of change for the larger society.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary
Office of Environmental Services, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye who said the event will be her last in office described the
Sanitation Competition Awards Ceremony as a legacy that must be a continuous event for generations to come.
In a goodwill message, the managing Director of the State Wasted Management Authority, Mr Ibrahim Odumboni promised that the agency would continue to partner with all LG/LCDA by ensuring timely evacuation of waste.
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