Ayoola Babalola
The Lagos State Government has sealed nine properties across the state for alleged sewage violations, including a healthcare facility accused of pumping untreated waste directly into public drains.
According to a statement by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, the facilities and their operators were guilty of violations that exposed residents to environmental pollution and public health risks.
Its General Manager, Adefemi Afolabi, warned that property owners and facility operators who discharged untreated sewage or failed to maintain functional wastewater systems would face sanctions, including closure and prosecution.
Afolabi added that the enforcement action targeted properties found discharging raw sewage into drainage channels and the open environment, as well as facilities with defective sewage infrastructure and unsanitary conditions.
He said, “Indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage into public drains and the open environment is a serious environmental violation that exposes residents to avoidable health risks, pollutes our surroundings and undermines the State’s sanitation efforts.”
He specifically warned against using pumping machines to empty sewage into public drainage channels, insisting that property owners and business operators must use authorised evacuation services.
“Every property owner, facility manager and business operator has a responsibility to provide and maintain functional sewage infrastructure and ensure that wastewater is evacuated and disposed of through authorised service providers. Defaulters will face the full weight of the law, including sealing of affected premises and prosecution where necessary,” he said.
The properties sealed were located at Oko-Oba, Isolo, Alimosho, Sangotedo, Lekki, Adeniji, Lagos Island, Olodi-Apapa and Ajegunle.
The agency also warned residents against assaulting or obstructing its enforcement officers, saying it would not tolerate attempts to prevent personnel from carrying out their statutory duties.
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