By Aina Shehu
The Corps Marshal of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd), has reiterated his commitment to strengthening voluntary compliance with environmental laws by residents of Lagos State.
Cole made this known in a statement to the press on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of his appointment as Corps Marshal by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on January 25, 2024.
According to him, the Agency has remained steadfast in its mandate to restore and sustain environmental sanity across the state. He noted that since assuming office alongside three Deputy Corps Marshals, KAI has consistently intensified monitoring, advocacy and enforcement activities through its Special Squad and divisional operatives to reduce environmental infractions statewide, in line with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
The Corps Marshal highlighted notable clearance operations carried out by KAI operatives in areas such as the Ebute Meta–Yaba railway corridor, Dolphin Underbridge, Cele Underbridge, and the Idunmota, Ebute-Ero and Elegbata axis. He explained that these efforts span the Lagos Mainland and hinterlands, consolidating the Ministry’s drive to eliminate environmental nuisances around critical infrastructure.
Commending officers and men of the Agency, Cole praised Unit Commanders and Divisional Commanders across the 21 divisional formations for their diligence, professionalism and dedication. He noted that their routine patrols around markets, residential areas and commercial centres have helped promote cleanliness, hygiene and voluntary compliance with environmental regulations.
Cole further outlined the Agency’s achievements in reducing offences such as street trading, jaywalking, open defecation and urination, indiscriminate refuse dumping, public disturbance by miscreants, oil bunkering activities and illegal drug porting. He disclosed that offenders are arrested daily and prosecuted in courts of competent jurisdiction.
The retired Army Major also lauded the efforts of the Agency’s Public Affairs Unit for organising the Lagos West Senatorial District Meeting in January. He described the initiative, which began in 2022, as a key stakeholder-engagement platform aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable solutions and encouraging grassroots adherence to environmental laws.
Additionally, the Corps Marshal noted the increasing use of pedestrian bridges across the state, describing it as a positive sign of growing safety consciousness and improved compliance among Lagosians.