Activist floats environmental vanguard for Lagos

…Says, ‘it is to complement state govt’s efforts’

Ahuman rights activist and public commentator, Razaq Olokoba has floated a voluntary non-governmental outfit to assist the government and Lagos residents in reducing the environmental hazards resulting from dirty environment and blocked drainages.

The outfit, Sanwo- Olu Vanguard on Environmental Sanitation, according to Olokoba, is for the members to serve as volunteers to go round periodically to assist in clearing refuse at strategic places throughout the nook and cranny of the state

The founder, Olokoba, while addressing a selected journalists, reminded the public of the danger of indiscriminate dumping of refuse, the result of which can cause environmental pollution through stench oozing out of the carelessly dumped wastes.

He added that in some cases where the dirt is being burnt within residential areas, the effects are always devastating to the health of the people, warning that, if something drastic is not done by complementing the efforts of the government towards providing a clean environment, the negative outcome would not spare anybody.

Olokoba further stated that, “great attention would be paid to the blocked drainages with a view to freeing them to allow for unhindered passage of water,” reminding that, blocked drainages are the major causes of flood that ravages communities and cause irreparable damage to life and property.

He however, made it clear that, “We are out to support and compliment the efforts of relevant environmental agencies to ensure cleaner Lagos and never to usurp anybody’s statutory duties constitutionally assigned to them by the authorities.”

The activist also disclosed that, “Our activities would go beyond clearing of refuse and freeing the drainages alone, we will always mount enlightenment campaigns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocking the drainages and other acts that can lead to environmental degradation and injurious to the health of the populace.”