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The Blue Lagos Sustainability Initiative, in partnership with the Lagos State Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPLCE), the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), has intensified community engagement efforts across the riverine communities of Sagbonkodji, Ilado-Odo and Tarkwa Bay, delivering health, environmental, civic and waterways safety sensitisation programmes.
The multi-sectoral outreach, on Wednesday, brought together government agencies, traditional leaders, women, youth groups and residents to promote environmental sustainability, improve healthcare awareness, encourage civic participation and strengthen water transportation safety.
As part of the intervention, pupils received exercise books, pregnant women were provided with insecticide-treated mosquito nets, while residents were also given waste collection nylon bags to encourage proper waste disposal and cleaner communities.
Officials from the participating organisations reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that coastal and riverine communities enjoy equitable access to government services and development programmes across Lagos State.
Representatives of OPLCE educated residents on the importance of active civic participation and stronger collaboration between citizens and government. The agency also introduced the Citizen Gate Platform, a digital engagement portal designed to improve access to government information, receive citizens’ feedback and facilitate the reporting of community concerns.
Residents were subsequently enrolled on the platform to enable them participate more effectively in governance and access public services.
The Lagos State Health Management Agency sensitised participants on the Ilera Eko and EKO-SHA health insurance schemes, while also introducing its Telemedicine Initiative aimed at improving access to quality healthcare in hard-to-reach riverine and coastal communities.
According to the agency, the telemedicine programme is expected to bridge healthcare access gaps and improve health outcomes for underserved populations.
The Lagos State Waterways Authority also conducted practical safety awareness sessions, educating residents on safe waterways practices, the proper use of life jackets and strict compliance with safety regulations while travelling on Lagos waterways.
Community leaders commended the initiative, describing the outreach as a demonstration of the Lagos State Government’s commitment to inclusive development and improved living standards for residents of riverine communities.
Speaking at the conclusion of the programme, Convener of the Blue Lagos Sustainability Initiative, Adesanya Saheed Olayinka, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to championing the interests of coastal communities through sustained partnerships and community-driven development.
“Sustainable development can only be achieved when communities are actively involved in shaping solutions to their challenges. Through partnerships and continuous engagement, we are ensuring that no riverine community is left behind in Lagos’ development journey,” he said.
The outreach forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, development partners and local communities in advancing environmental sustainability, public health, civic engagement and social inclusion across Lagos State’s coastal settlements.
