Lago- The Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), Lagos State Chapter, has urged residents to have a positive attitude toward the environment in order to prevent health and environmental hazards.
The state Coordinator of the Group, Mr Waheed Odunuga gave the advice during the second edition of the group’s Monthly Community Service Initiative (MCSI) in Surulere area of the state on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the initiative was launched on Aug. 27 at Kosofe Local Government to mark the month’s Environmental Sanitation Day
“We are the by-product of our environment, we need the environment to live and live healthy.
“Many families and communities have paid severely for the negative disposition to the environment and our state is not exempted.
“In the light of the recent flood hazards and outbreak of diseases, our group considers it advisable to all residents to be more cautious of the environment for the benefit of all.
“So, in compliance with the State monthly environmental sanitation and various health-related issues, BYO advocates that people should be cautious of their environment,’’he said.
He said its commitment to cleaner environment made the group mobilised its members and equipment to Surulere area to clear blocked drainages.
The coordinator said that there was a need for more advocacy programme for the people to embrace change and comply with laws, rules and regulations guiding their civic duties.
Odunuga, however, urged government to engage various civil society organistaions to ensure the protection of the environment by the people at the grassroots.
Also speaking during the exercise, Mr Fatai Bakare, Chairman, Rabiatu Thompson Community Development Association (CDA), decried blockage of drains with bottles and refuse by the residents.
Bakare said in spite of the regular weekly environment sanitation, the drains were still littered with bottles and other refuse causing blockages.
” Mrs Enoh Adebayo, an official of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) who was on a working visit to the area commended the initiative.
Adebayo, who noted that LAWMA had trucks to service the community every Saturday, called for more of the advocacy for the people to exhibit responsible attitude toward waste disposal and payment of bills.