Recently, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency and the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency joined forces in a public awareness campaign to eradicate open defecation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Furthermore, the agencies collaborated on a thorough cleanup of the highway median, a project initiated by the Lagos government earlier in the week.
During the commencement of the cleanup, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, strongly cautioned against open defecation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by LASEPA, it was disclosed that the primary focus of the Lagos-Ogun agencies was the median stretch from the OPIC Plaza to the Otedola bridge heading towards Lagos along the newly renovated road.
The campaign and clean-up initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, the General Manager of LASEPA, aimed to enhance awareness and foster behavioral change within the communities.
Dr. Ajayi led the efforts alongside Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Environmental Protection Matters, and Taiwo Abiodun, the representative of the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Ojodu Berger branch.
Highlighting the urgency of the campaign, Ajayi emphasized the need to curb the spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases, which pose a serious threat, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
“Open defecation has emerged as a widespread issue globally, with severe health consequences, notably cholera and other infectious diseases.
“During rainfall, the risk of water contamination significantly rises, heightening the potential for disease outbreaks,” stated Ajayi.
Regarding the sustained maintenance of the cleaned median, Ajayi outlined plans to involve key stakeholders from both states to oversee the area and prevent further deterioration.
“We are actively clearing the median from OPIC Plaza to Kara down to Otedola Bridge, and subsequent to this, we will collaborate with local governments, sanitation officers, market traders, NURTW personnel, and other law enforcement agencies to collectively monitor this environment and report any violations for appropriate legal measures,” he elaborated.
In praise of LASEPA’s leadership in the campaign, representing the Ogun State government, Dr. Kehinde emphasized the importance of interstate cooperation in addressing environmental issues.
He commented, “LASEPA’s initiative is laudable and sets a strong example of how we can jointly tackle common challenges.”
Pledging the support of the NURTW Ojodu Berger Branch, Taiwo Abiodun, the union’s representative, expressed commitment to the cause.