…Agoro Decries Indiscriminate Waste Disposal, As Dauda Announces Upcoming Drainage Project, Two Compactors for Ikeja
The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, on Saturday led six Permanent Secretaries and other top government officials to Ikeja Local Government for the October 2026 Environmental Sanitation Monitoring Exercise, in a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to environmental cleanliness and effective waste management.
The monitoring team, which arrived at about 6:45 a.m., was received at the Onilekere/Onipesi axis by the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), alongside the Vice Chairman, Hon. Abisola Omisore; Council Manager, Mr. Rasheed Bada; Council Secretary, Prince Adeyinka Illo; Leader of the Legislative House, Hon. Ogunseye Adisa; members of the Executive and management teams, and the Ikeja APC Chairman, Hon. Adetoro Adebowale.
The team embarked on an extensive inspection of streets, drainage channels and surrounding communities, covering Seidu Street, Olumo, Onilekere, Ebun-Oluwa, Ijesha Close and Irepodun Street.
Speaking after the exercise, Agoro commended the Ikeja Local Government Chairman for his administration’s efforts towards maintaining environmental cleanliness across the council area. He, however, expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, describing the practice as unacceptable and a major contributor to flooding.
The Head of Service stressed that the monthly monitoring exercise was not merely an inspection of environmental conditions but also an opportunity to educate residents on their responsibilities in maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
“We observed in some of the streets that people were throwing refuse into the drainage channels. This is totally unacceptable. We must reorient and educate residents on the need to keep their environment clean.
“Our presence here is to encourage and enlighten them on the importance of a clean and safe environment. The government is making efforts to clear the waterways and drainage channels, but residents must also cooperate.
“Refuse does not get into the drainage channels by itself; people put it there. If we do not stop this practice, we will continue to experience flooding,” he said.
Agoro further disclosed that the state government, in collaboration with relevant environmental agencies and Ikeja Local Government, was pursuing interventions to improve drainage infrastructure in the area, including plans for the construction of an additional drainage channel.
He emphasised that government investments in drainage infrastructure would only deliver the desired results if residents embraced responsible waste disposal practices, urging them to take ownership of their environment and use approved waste management channels.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Governor for sustaining the monthly environmental sanitation initiative and commended the Head of Service for personally leading the high-powered delegation to the council.
Dauda described the visit as a significant morale booster for the council’s environmental team, reaffirming that environmental cleanliness remained a major pillar of his administration’s I.K.E.J.A Agenda, with the letter ‘E’ representing Environmental Cleanliness.
“We appreciate Mr Governor for declaring the last Saturday of every month as Environmental Day. I am particularly delighted to have the Head of Service, a technocrat, here with six Permanent Secretaries to see firsthand what we are doing as a local government.
“Under our I.K.E.J.A Agenda, environmental cleanliness is a key priority. We have continued to engage our residents because public enlightenment is essential. Many people are still unaware of the consequences of indiscriminate waste disposal and the importance of maintaining a clean environment, so we will continue to enlighten them,” he said.
The council chairman also disclosed that the drainage construction project covering parts of the Onilekere and Onipesi communities had been awarded to a contractor. He expressed optimism that the project would substantially improve drainage capacity and the general environmental outlook of the area within the next six months.
He appealed to residents to complement the council’s efforts by properly bagging their refuse and disposing of it through approved waste management channels instead of dumping waste into drains and waterways.
In another major development, Dauda revealed that the Lagos State Governor had approved the provision of two waste compactor trucks for each local government in the state, with delivery expected within the next two months.
According to him, the initiative would significantly strengthen waste collection and management operations at the grassroots level.
He assured residents that his administration would remain responsive to their environmental concerns and continue investing in infrastructure, noting that community needs and requests would guide the council’s budgetary priorities.
The six Permanent Secretaries who accompanied the Head of Service were Engr. Adeyemi Adetunji Adesanya; Mrs. Durodola Bukola Olusola; Mrs. Oladeji Oluwatoyin Olubunmi; Dr. Mrs. Oluwo Adenike Oluwafunmilayo; Dr. Adegbite Olawale Mahadiyu; and Mr. Adebayo Mubashiru.
Also present were officials of the Lagos State Government, including personnel of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Students from Army Children Senior High School, Army Cantonment Senior High School, State Senior High School, Ikeja Senior High School, Ikeja Junior High School and Onilekere Junior High School also participated in the exercise.
The October 2026 monitoring exercise underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the state and local governments, active community participation and continuous public enlightenment in addressing indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage channels and the persistent threat of flooding.
