In a decisive move to tackle environmental degradation and restore urban order, the Department of Environmental Services, in partnership with the Cleaner Ibeju-Lekki Initiative and the Ibeju-Lekki Community Security Corps (Folumo), carried out a coordinated clean-up operation across parts of Lakowe and Awoyaya.
The operation was spearheaded by the Chief Technical Adviser on Environment, Hon. Ajumobi Lateef, alongside Chief Security Officer Alhaji Shakiru Adebanjo. Their joint leadership underscored the local government’s renewed commitment to curbing illegal trading and indiscriminate waste disposal.
In Lakowe, the team encountered resistance from traders unlawfully occupying pedestrian walkways. These encroachments have not only defaced the urban landscape but also hindered free pedestrian movement. The situation in Awoyaya was even more severe, with extensive illegal trading activities spilling onto motor lanes, significantly endangering both motorists and pedestrians.
The exercise was conducted with strict adherence to regulatory protocols, ensuring minimal disruption while reclaiming public spaces.
Executive Chairman Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to environmental sustainability, stating that routine monitoring and enforcement would be intensified to preserve cleanliness, safety, and order across the Ibeju-Lekki axis.
“This is not a one-off intervention,” Olowa emphasized. “We are building a culture of environmental responsibility that protects both the ecosystem and the well-being of our communities.”
This operation forms part of a broader push-back initiative aimed at addressing urban blight, improving public health, and promoting responsible civic behaviour in line with global sustainable development goals.