The Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Enforcement Unit has expressed readiness to enforce the newly introduced monthly sanitation exercise in the state.

Chairman of the task force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, disclosed this during a parley with journalists, noting that the initiative is aimed at improving public health.

The exercise, which the Lagos State Government announced as voluntary, is expected to commence in April 2026.

He said, “The primary duty of the task force is to make Lagos, your Lagos, our Lagos, our metro-city state environmentally safe and convenient for all residents.

“This we have been doing through routine advocacy and public sensitisation using the mass media; conducting regular raids to rid black spots of criminal elements, dislodge drug gangs, checkmate the nuisances of street traders; and checkmate open defecation/urination and environmental degradation.”

Akerele added that the agency is also responsible for dismantling and removing slums and shanties, as well as carrying out collaborative operations to combat kidnapping, quackery, human trafficking and other crimes.

He further noted that the task force is working to curb the activities of commercial motorcyclists (okada) and one-way traffic violations.

“It is also part of our duties to restore sanity in the metro city and ensure peaceful living for Lagosians,” he said.

He, however, lamented that some individuals continue to act in ways that undermine the agency’s mandate.

“Unfortunately, there are some people in our midst who do not want this to be so, whose actions and activities are in sharp contrast to the legally established mandates of the task force. We, as a task force, cannot allow that,” he added.

Akerele reiterated that the monthly sanitation exercise will resume in April 2026, with the task force fully involved in its enforcement.

“Let me also use this opportunity to say that the state is resuming a monthly, voluntary environmental sanitation exercise effective from April 2026, targeting improved public health, and the task force, as expected, will be fully active and involved,” he said.

Speaking on enforcement along Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, Akerele clarified that the rules guiding their use were established in the interest of the public.

“I am aware of the issues raised bordering on the BRT corridors enforcement activities, to the extent that most people are not able to differentiate the Lagos State Task Force from other agencies of the government who perform complementary roles in the administration,” he said.

“However, one thing we must bear in mind is that the rules governing the operation or use of the BRT were put in place in the interest of the public.

“It is to ensure the safety and convenience of Lagosians, as well as promptness. An acceptable level of convenience and peace of mind is being achieved in this regard.”

He stressed that the task force’s role is to curb abuse and maintain order on the corridors.

Akerele also recounted incidents involving a social media commentator who allegedly misrepresented enforcement actions carried out by another agency.

“When it became clear that he was wrong, he changed gear, resorting to subtle blackmail.

“He insinuated that our men on duty hijacked a vehicle, drove it against one-way and turned around to accuse the driver of the offence.

“That, of course, is far from the truth. What makes this case quite unfortunate is that this individual has in the past tried to negatively exploit our relationship,” he said.

The task force chairman maintained that the driver involved had indeed violated traffic laws and was lawfully arrested.

“In this particular case, I want to state clearly that the driver in question actually contravened state traffic laws. He was lawfully arrested for the offences,” he said.

He emphasised that no individual’s interest should override that of the general public.

“No single individual is greater than an entire state, and no single individual’s interest should outweigh the interests of the generality of Lagosians,” he stated.

Akerele assured residents that the agency would remain committed to maintaining environmental sanity across the state.

“We will continue to do our best to rid the state of all forms of environmental nuisance and remain open to suggestions and genuine inputs from residents.

“We will not allow selfish interests to distract us from our fundamental duties as custodians of an environmentally friendly Lagos,” he added. (TRIBUNE)