Mixed reactions to Lagos monthly sanitation as refuse piles up

During Saturday’s sanitation drive, residents of Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos State voiced their frustration over months of uncollected waste, claiming the situation has undermined the effectiveness of the state’s monthly environmental sanitation program.

Interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed a range of opinions: some residents questioned the initiative’s impact, while others argued that keeping their surroundings clean remains a shared duty.

NAN reports that the Lagos State Government reinstated the monthly sanitation exercise on 25 April 2026.

The exercise, held on the last Saturday of each month, imposes a movement restriction between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. to encourage residents to tidy their neighbourhoods.

A NAN correspondent noted piles of refuse scattered across Alimosho and nearby communities, with many residents attributing the problem to the prolonged absence of waste collection by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.

Ms Yewande Dada, a resident of the Alaguntan area, said that although residents continue to participate in the exercise, their efforts are undermined by the failure to evacuate waste.

“I don’t know why we should continue with monthly sanitation when no one comes to pick up the refuse,” she said. “For about three months, our waste has remained uncollected even though we pay our waste‑management bills regularly.”

“After clearing the drains and gathering the refuse, scavengers and rainfall scatter everything back into the gutters,” she added. “Without prompt evacuation of waste, the exercise will continue to lose its purpose.”

Another resident, Mr Daniel Olarenwaju, described overflowing refuse as a daily reality that prevents many from enjoying the front of their homes due to offensive odour.

He said a PSP truck recently visited his street but could only evacuate waste from three houses because it had already reached capacity.

“I even offered the workers drinks to encourage them, but they simply couldn’t take any more waste because the truck was full,” he said. “The government needs to act quickly before we are overwhelmed by this refuse.”

In contrast, Mr Ehi Osasuyi urged residents not to abandon the sanitation exercise because of the waste‑collection challenges.

According to him, maintaining a clean environment is a personal responsibility that helps prevent disease.

“I watched the Commissioner for Environment reaffirm the government’s commitment to resolving the waste‑collection problem,” he said. “I believe efforts are being made, but residents must also play their part if we want to protect our families from sickness.”

“We are not defending the government; we are simply doing our best to keep our environment clean,” he added.

The divergent views highlight the dilemma faced by many Lagos communities, where residents continue to sweep streets and clear drains each month, hoping that regular waste evacuation will eventually align with their efforts. (NAN)