There is a need for stronger enforcement of environmental and public safety regulations, alongside a shift from reactive responses to proactive prevention.
This statement was made by Environmentalist, Adedayo Fadunsin on Lagos Television’s daily broadcast , The Conversation.
He identified poor waste disposal as a major cause of blocked drainage channels and flooding, while Lagos’ growing population and weak enforcement continue to place pressure on environmental systems.
He also stressed that Nigeria already has several environmental laws, making effective implementation more important than creating new regulations.
He advocated for a three-level prevention approach involving primary prevention to stop problems before they occur, secondary prevention to identify and address early warning signs, and tertiary response after disasters have occurred. Fadunsin expressed concern about the country relying too heavily on emergency responses, urging government to strengthen monitoring, maintain public infrastructure and intervene before environmental and safety challenges escalate.
He went further to call for improved public education and community engagement, stressing that enforcement should follow the sequence of awareness, education, monitoring and enforcement. He urged the Government to work with market leaders, NURTW representatives, informal waste workers, professional groups and other trusted community leaders to communicate environmental rules effectively. Incentives, could also encourage compliance, provided government fulfils its commitments and builds public trust.
Conclusively, Fadunsin charged Citizens, Manufacturers and Professionals to take greater responsibility for environmental protection and public safety.
He raised concerns about poor maintenance of public infrastructure and the issuance of roadworthiness certificates to vehicles without proper inspection.
Fadunsin identified three key priorities to change the narrative in Lagos ; effective communication and public awareness, stronger grassroots engagement and improved monitoring and enforcement of environmental and public safety standards.
