Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, LAGESC, says five thousand persons were arrested and prosecuted for environmental offences in the last six months in the state.

It says the arrest and prosecution of offenders had further reinforced the agency’s zeal to rid the state of environmental infractions while constantly monitoring environs daily via their operatives to make the state habitable for business.

Its Corps Marshal, retired Major Olatunbosun Cole said this during a Stakeholders’ Town Hall meeting held in the agency’s complex at Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos.

Cole said the officials were committed to exhausting all lawful options to ensure sanity in Lagos environment, saying that was one of the reasons for organising periodic stakeholders’ engagement meetings to seek the buy-in and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders.

“Environmental sanitation remains great importance due to its indispensable role played in our daily communal living and livelihood.

“We strive for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos. It is requisite to highlight that the responsibility is not only in the hands of government agencies but also incumbent on every one in Lagos,” he said.

Cole further noted that the theme of the stakeholders’ engagement: “Community Engagement: A Catalyst for Enhancing Environmental Compliance,” was chosen because the voices of stakeholders were important in eradicating environmental nuisances in Lagos.

“We have upheld the enforcement of the ban on Styrofoam packs being used to package food by food vendors, having been identified as a major constituent which blocks our drains when it rains.

“The bio-degradable nature and non-recyclable nature of Styrofoam means that it is unneeded and harmful to both humans and the environment,” he noted.

Cole advised residents to imbibe a culture of positive environmental practices via proper waste disposal by patronising approved PSP operators.

He said the agency commenced a five week clearance operation of the railway corridors from Ikeja-Along to Iddo among other areas to rid the state of infractions, arrest criminals and ensure sanity in the environment.

Cole said the agency had been charged to clear the rail corridors to Otto and address environmental infractions which included illegal dumping of waste, road crossing, street trading and building on drainages among others.

The Corps Marshal also said the agency was committed to the community stakeholders’ engagement which would be held in all the three senatorial districts across the state to sought the cooperation of residents and sensitise on hygiene to curb the spread of communicable diseases.

Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr Tajudeen Gaji, said LAGESC under Cole had done well in carrying out environmental enforcement.

Gaji who spoke through a Deputy Director in the ministry, Tope Ilori, stressed the need to engage the communities and ensure officials listen, obtain feedback, create a mutual platform for the exchange of ideas and innovations which were positive for the environment.

“Another key stakeholder in the environment sector in Lagos State are the market men and women in the state.

“We must emphasise to market leaders on the need for our approved markets to maintain a high level of hygiene and adhere strictly to environmental laws and codes,” he said.