The Lagos State Government has sealed a residential property in the Okota area of the state for environmental violations related to sewage disposal. The building, located at No. 59, Ajoke Okusanya Street, off Ago Palace Way, was sealed on Saturday, June 14, 2025, after it was found to be discharging untreated sewage into a public drainage system.
This action, according to the state government, is part of its intensified efforts to protect public health and ensure strict adherence to environmental laws.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the enforcement was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), after surveillance and confirmed reports from concerned citizens.
“The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, through Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), on Saturday, 14th June 2025 sealed off a residential property at No. 59, Ajoke Okusanya Street, Off Ago Palace Way, Okota, for pumping raw sewage from the septic tank into the public drainage system,” Wahab stated.
The Commissioner described the illegal discharge as a serious environmental offence that poses grave threats to residents and the ecosystem.
“This act constitutes environmental pollution and a threat to public health,” the Ministry said in the statement. “The government has zero tolerance for such dangerous and irresponsible behavior that undermines public safety.”
Officials discovered that the occupants of the building were using mechanical pumps to transfer untreated effluent from their septic tanks directly into the open drainage system that flows through surrounding streets and neighborhoods.
This act, according to the government, is not only unsanitary but also violates the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, which prohibits direct discharge of wastewater into the environment without proper treatment.
Wahab emphasized that the Lagos State Government remains fully committed to enforcing environmental regulations and will not hesitate to take strong action against violators.
“The State Government will not relent in clamping down on perpetrators of such acts in our effort to ensure a healthy and sustainable environment in the state,” he added.
He urged Lagosians to remain vigilant and report such infractions to the appropriate authorities, assuring that all reports will be treated with urgency.
Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that direct disposal of sewage into open drains can contaminate water bodies, spread diseases such as cholera and typhoid, and destroy aquatic life.
This enforcement operation is the latest in a series of actions taken by the state’s environmental agencies to combat illegal wastewater practices in Lagos neighborhoods.
Residents of Okota have since welcomed the move, describing it as a necessary step toward promoting cleaner and healthier surroundings.
“I’m happy the government stepped in,” said Mr. Ajibola Adeyemi, a nearby resident. “We’ve been suffering from terrible smells and clogged drains for weeks. This will serve as a lesson to others.”
The state government has also announced plans to increase inspections and crack down further on illegal sewage disposals across all local government areas in Lagos.
For complaints or to report illegal discharge, residents are advised to contact the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office or use the Lagos environmental reporting platforms.
