In a bold move to reclaim and rejuvenate one of Lagos’ most neglected urban corridors, the Lagos State Government has announced a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft to execute a large-scale environmental cleanup in Apapa and its surrounding communities.
The initiative, which aligns with the state’s broader vision of building a Cleaner, Greener, Healthier, and Safer Lagos, was unveiled during a courtesy visit earlier today by Navy Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, Commander of NNS Beecroft, and his team to the Alausa Secretariat. The collaboration also marks the Navy’s 69th anniversary celebration, serving as a symbolic demonstration of inter-agency cooperation in the pursuit of public good.
Once a prominent and prestigious district, Apapa has in recent years suffered significant infrastructural decay and environmental neglect, largely driven by illegal activities and poor urban management. The state government expressed deep concern over the transformation of Apapa from an elitist residential and commercial hub into a chaotic, waste-ridden zone.
Speaking on the new partnership, the state government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to restoring order, aesthetics, and ecological health to the area through coordinated efforts with critical stakeholders.
Under the plan, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) will take charge of logistics and waste evacuation, ensuring prompt and efficient removal of accumulated refuse. The Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) will oversee the desilting of drains to address flooding concerns, while the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI, will be tasked with maintaining order and enforcing environmental laws throughout the exercise.
Following the cleanup, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) is expected to carry out an environmental assessment of the area, after which efforts to green and beautify the recovered spaces will commence.
The government praised the Nigerian Navy for its proactive involvement and expressed optimism that the collaboration would set the tone for further multi-agency interventions aimed at restoring sanity to critical parts of the metropolis.
This latest cleanup operation is part of a broader, ongoing campaign by the state government to confront urban decay, reclaim public spaces, and create a sustainable environment for all residents of Lagos.
