Lagos Government Responds To NYSC Member’s Comments On The City.
The Lagos State Government has criticised a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, for her remarks describing Lagos as “smelling.”
Responding to her comments, the Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adesina, stated that despite her criticism, Uguamaye has been seen enjoying the city’s nightlife, as evident from her TikTok videos.
Adesina attributed challenges in maintaining the city’s cleanliness to the large influx of people arriving in Lagos daily, placing significant pressure on its infrastructure. He noted that many individuals who complain about the city are also those contributing to its environmental challenges.
“They can say whatever they want, but what they fail to realise is that thousands of people move into Lagos daily, putting undue pressure on the state’s infrastructure. These are the same people engaging in street trading, open defecation, and other activities that make maintaining the environment more difficult,” Adesina explained.
He added that despite government regulations aimed at improving the city’s environment, enforcement efforts often face public backlash. “When we try to enforce the law, people complain that the government is too strict. Yet, these same individuals turn around to blame the government for the situation,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the high cost of living in Lagos, Adesina pointed out that economic challenges are not unique to the state. “Global recession is affecting prices everywhere. What used to cost $1 now sells for $5 or more in many places. This is not just a Nigerian issue; it is global,” he noted.
He also advised residents to live within their means, stating that luxurious areas like Lekki and Victoria Island are not meant for everyone.
Despite criticisms, Adesina emphasised that Lagos continues to receive positive ratings from global organisations for its development efforts.
