The Lagos State Government has joined forces with the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft in Apapa to launch a comprehensive cleanup campaign aimed at revitalising Apapa and its surrounding areas. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to environmental sustainability in the once-elite district.
During a courtesy visit to Alausa on Friday, Navy Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, leading the NNS Beecroft command, met with Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab. The Commissioner highlighted the state’s dedication to environmental goals while lamenting Apapa’s deterioration over time.
“As a state, environmental sustainability is one of the goals the government is working hard to achieve for its citizens,” Wahab stated. “Apapa, once an elitist area, has significantly deteriorated over time and is now plagued by environmental infractions. Stakeholders must take ownership of their environment.”
Wahab praised the Navy’s vision for addressing environmental challenges in the Apapa ecosystem and pledged the government’s full support. He noted that the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) would provide logistical assistance, including waste removal trucks, while the Lagos State Environmental Safety Corps (LAGESC/KAI) would maintain a presence on-site. Additionally, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) would clean and desilt local drainage systems before the scheduled cleanup.
Following the cleanup operation, LASPARK will evaluate the possibility of landscaping areas under the bridge to ensure long-term sustainability of the initiative.
Commodore Nimmyel announced that the cleanup campaign is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 6 am to 11 am, as part of NNS Beecroft’s 69th Anniversary celebrations. The event will focus not only on waste removal but also on clearing criminal hideouts and removing hoodlums and touts from the area.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services; Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Drainage Services, and various heads of agencies within the Ministry.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
