- The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office closed a facility on Savage Street after raw sewage was pumped into a public drain, creating odour and health risks
- Tokunbo Wahab urged residents and facility operators to maintain proper wastewater management, highlighting potential sanctions and prosecution for environmental offences
- Lagos State announced plans to resume its monthly environmental sanitation exercise by March, aiming to improve drainage and curb indiscriminate waste disposal across the city
The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed a public toilet on Savage Street, Ebute Metta, following allegations that it discharged raw sewage into a public drain.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the closure in a post shared on X on Thursday, confirming that the facility was sealed on Wednesday.
The commissioner explained that the action was taken after “the deliberate pumping of raw sewage into the public drain resulting in offensive odour and sewage flow within the community.” He described the development as a public nuisance that constitutes environmental pollution and poses significant risks to human health.
Wahab urged residents and operators of public facilities to adopt proper wastewater management and hygiene practices, highlighting the importance of safeguarding public health and promoting environmental sustainability. “Any act of environmental nuisance or pollution will attract appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution,” he warned.
The closure comes amid broader concerns about waste management in Lagos, including clogged drainage systems and indiscriminate dumping, which have increasingly strained the city’s infrastructure.
In a related update, the Lagos State Government announced that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, previously suspended, may resume by March. Wahab made the disclosure on Sunday after an inspection exercise in the Lagos Island area. He noted that discussions were ongoing and expressed confidence that the programme would return on or before March.
The monthly sanitation exercise, traditionally held on the last Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 due to the challenges of restricting movement in a megacity like Lagos. The commissioner stressed that resuming the exercise would help tackle the worsening waste management issues affecting drainage systems and public spaces.
Residents have been encouraged to cooperate with government initiatives and maintain cleanliness in their communities to prevent environmental hazards. Authorities have reiterated that continued disregard for sanitation regulations will attract strict enforcement measures.
The move underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to curbing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable urban waste management practices in one of Africa’s largest and most densely populated cities.