The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Government of Japan, have advanced its statewide cholera prevention campaign with a fresh round of public sensitization and capacity-building activities in Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the State
The latest engagement forms part of Project 240236, titled “Emergency Capacity Building of the Informal Food and Water Vendors and Waste Workers in Flood-Affected Lagos to Combat Cholera Outbreaks.”
The initiative is designed to equip informal food handlers, water vendors, and waste workers with practical knowledge and preventive measures to reduce the spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases across Lagos State.
Prior to the Badagry West LCDA exercise, the Awareness-Raising Seminar Workshop had been conducted in Lagos Island, Alimosho, Ojo, Kosofe, Ikorodu and Lagos Mainland, making the Badagry event the eight session in the ongoing advocacy drive.
Held at Custom Quarters, Seme Border, Badagry, the sensitization programme attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including food and water vendors, waste handlers, students, artisans, market leaders, community members, and environmental health officials. Discussions focused on environmental hygiene, safe food handling practices, access to clean and potable water, and proper waste management—particularly during the rainy season when cholera risks are heightened.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, explained that the agency’s responsibilities under the project include identifying sources of water contamination, strengthening public awareness, and building community capacity for effective waste management and pollution prevention.
Dr. Ajayi commended UNIDO and the Government of Japan for their continued support, noting that the project emphasizes direct community engagement to ensure that critical health messages are understood and adopted at the grassroots level.
He added that environmental health enforcement would be intensified to promote compliance with sanitation regulations and curb practices that endanger public health.
Also speaking, the General Manager of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, Engr Adefemi Afolabi represented by Mr. Olusegun Denasohin, praised LASEPA’s collaboration with UNIDO and the Government of Japan for bringing the initiative to Badagry West LCDA.
Engr Afolabi warned that cholera is a highly dangerous disease capable of causing death within a short time if not prevented, stressing that poor access to potable water, inadequate sanitation, open defecation, and improper wastewater disposal significantly increase the risk of outbreaks.
Representing the Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, the Director of Environmental Health Services, Mrs. Sesi Okoosi-Adepoju, emphasized the importance of cleanliness and environmental sanitation.
She reiterated that unhealthy surroundings often lead to adverse health outcomes and applauded UNIDO and LASEPA for driving sustainable development through grassroots sensitization. She also acknowledged the efforts of food handlers, water vendors, waste pickers (PSP operators), and other government agencies in promoting hygiene and preventing cholera in flood-prone communities like Badagry.
In his remarks, the Baale of Ogblogbo, Chief Bokoh Jacob, represented by Mr. Haruna Abdullahi, expressed appreciation for the initiative but appealed to the Lagos State Government to provide pipe-borne water to the community.
He noted that residents currently rely mainly on well water, which poses health risks.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Baale of Pengbo, Chief Ganjo Ayeleso, public servants, environmental health officials from Badagry West LCDA, artisans, market leaders, students, and other community stakeholders.