Outrage in Lagos: Rhodes-Vivour Blasts Govt Over Monthly Sanitation Exercise

African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has condemned the reintroduction of environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos State.

Naija News reports that the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had announced that the state would restart its monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

Reacting to the development in a statement he shared on on Friday, Rhodes-Vivour described the approach as “parochial” and lacking innovation.

Rhodes-Vivour argued that shutting down a megacity like Lagos does not address the root of the problem.

“Shutting down a city of 20 million people to clean their immediate environment is parochial and lacks imagination,” he wrote.

He added, “For emphasis: the issue is not so much about cleaning your environment (which is great) but the logistics of waste management – starting from the collection, to disposal and recycling.”

According to him, without a systemic overhaul, the exercise would yield little long-term impact.

“Anything short of rethinking this system is cosmetic and unimaginative,” he stated.

Wahab had maintained that the exercise had been carefully planned and required collective responsibility.

“We cannot keep complaining about dirty surroundings and blaming government while shirking our own responsibilities. The care of our environment is a collaborative project between government and citizens,” he said.

He further disclosed that major transport unions had agreed to restrict movement during the sanitation window, adding that exceptions would be made for emergencies and critical activities such as scheduled flights and examinations.

“Tomorrow, let us show Lagos and the world that we are ready to take ownership of our environment. Two hours. One Saturday each month. A cleaner, healthier, flood-free Lagos for all of us,” Wahab added.