Factors Impeding "Cleaner Lagos Initiative"!

As efforts to curtail flood in Lagos state intensifies, through the on-going reforms in the environment sector; residents have been warned to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuge, even as officials of the Ministry of the Environment recently embarked on clearing out blocked drainage systems, to allow easy flow of water. The "Cleaner Lagos Initiative", aimed at evolving a viable solid waste management system, by ensuring that refuge are turned into resources, instead of abandoning them to litter around, as obtained, is a welcomed development, howbeit, following factors needs to be put into consideration.

Pictures below indicate that- the "Cleaner Lagos Initiative" plan, is yet to kick off in most parts of Lagos state. Wastes from a recent drainage clearance along Mobil road, Lekki Scheme 2 area, as seen in the picture below, was dumped beside the gutter, and has been there for a couples of days, waiting for proper disposal by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). Abandoning refuge by gutters, especially after environmental sanitation or flood, is a norm around Lagos metropolis, and it is as good as not making any attempts to clear it, in the first place. This is because these wastes end up getting washed back into the drainage. 

Mobil rd, Lekki Scheme 2 area, Lekki-Lagos

Another factor, is the need for "Greening". Signs that reads: "This area is reserved for Greening, no trespassing", is seen all over the state, but, the actual "Greening" never takes place. These spaces often end up as a piece of land, with over grown weed, housing miscreants. Attempts by well-meaning organisations to green major areas of the metropolis, never gets to see the light of day, except of-course, these areas (as seen in the pictures) lies withing private jurisdiction.

What about haphazard packing/ abandoning of faulty vehicles by the roadside?, or the usage of parts of major-roads for enterprise?. Packing of vehicles by major road-sides was barred in Lagos state, a couple of weeks back, however,  the Law seems to be more effective on paper. The picture below, of the current situation along Mobil road, around Lekki scheme 11 area, proofs to that. 

Vehicles parked randomly along Mobile road

Woods, from Saw-mill enterprise stored on the roads, along Mobile road,

Another example, is the construction of make-shift stores, and houses directly on drainage paths. These constructions, make it impossible to ascertain when there is a blockade, and need for drainage clearance. 

Make -shift store on a drainage,along Mobil road.

These pictures represents reality, as against what was proposed or written. This is the every-day live around most parts of Lagos metropolis. Be it perpetrated out of ignorance, greed or mischief, they are limitations, or total hindrances, to the actualisation of: "Cleaner Lagos Initiative".

Governments, at the Local, State and Federal levels, might mean well through their numerous initiatives, to protect and develop the environment, protect lives and foster economic growth, but when these projects are not monitored, there are as good as not being there in the first place. 

Local governments need to be actively involved in government initiatives, from planing to implementation, even post implementation stages. Being at the grass-root, they are the closest to the situation, hence the need for a coalition between State and Federal Government's projects for feasibility purpose.