The Lagos State Government has urged residents to comply with environmental laws by maintaining a clean environment to curtail pollution.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji, said this during the environmental Advocacy on Attitudinal Change in Coastal Communities in the state in Ikorodu, on Thursday.
Gaji was represented at the event by the Director, Environmental Education Unit, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Monsurat Banire.
The theme of the programme was: “From Awareness to Action: Enhancing Coastal Safety Through Environmental Education.”
“Today’s advocacy on attitudinal change in coastal communities strikes the heart of various environmental challenges that directly affect the flora and the fauna.
“It also focuses on targeted response to the growing environmental crisis that threatens the coastal ecosystem sustainability.
“Lagos, as a low-lying coastal state, is particularly vulnerable to flooding. With increasing rainfall intensity, rising sea levels, and poor waste disposal habits, the coastal zones are at risk more than ever.
“The impacts are visible, the reality demands urgent, coordinated actions, not just from government institutions, but from every member of the community, stakeholder ownership,” he said.
He added that community environmental advocacy goes beyond awareness.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Deputy Director, EEU, Olufunke Olaleye, said flooding had become one of the most pressing challenges facing coastal communities across the globe, noting that Lagos State was not exempted.
According to her, in recent times, Lagos has witnessed an alarming increase in the frequency and severity of floods caused by climate change and human-induced activities.
Olaleye highlighted the human-induced activities as poor waste disposal, unplanned urban development, blockage of drainage channels, and disregard for environmental regulations.
