Government recommits to safe environment, denies complicity in Onikan infractions

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), yesterday, reiterated its commitment to putting an end to the environmental pollution going on at the cement batching plant at Onikan.

It also proffered solutions to the lingering crises between residents of Boyle and Ajasa streets, in Onikan and Levitikal Company, owners of the batching plant on Ajasa Street.

The agency, in a statement, denied complicity in the handling of the environmental infractions brought about by the activities of the company, maintaining that professionalism, due process and best global practices were followed in handling the matter, based on the mutual agreement of concerned parties at a meeting held earlier, where resolutions that could ameliorate the infractions were discussed and accepted by all.

The Director, Noise and Emissions Control Department of the agency, Mrs Bisi Shonibare, who represented the General Manager, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, at the follow-up meeting with stakeholders, reiterated the position of the agency towards the relocation of the company from the present site, to completely abate the air and noise pollution of the surrounding environment.

LASEPA assured residents that the relocation of the batching plant is sacrosanct, to bring about total abatement of the air and noise pollution of the surrounding environment.

The effective date for the agreed relocation was April 24, 2022, when the plant processes would have relocated to an appropriate site, designated for such activities, and away from residences, schools and hospitals.

“Pending the relocation, palliative measures to mitigate the effect of the pollution on the environment, as presented in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Report of the company shall be ensured by the agency.

LASEPA stated that the complaint by the residents that the company reneged on the earlier agreement to restrict all activities to day time was not reported to the agency, else the law would have taken its course, as non-compliance to agreements contravenes the provisions of the Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, Part VI.

“Environmental protocols to guide the company’s operations before relocation were clearly outlined at the meeting with stakeholders. While the state encourages entrepreneurship amongst the citizens, it takes responsibility to ensure that it is done in a sustainable manner, and not to jeopardise the health of its people, bearing in mind, the consequences of unwholesome practices on people’s health and the environment.

“Prior to the stakeholders meeting of February 16, 2022, the agency sanctioned the facility accordingly for flouting the earlier directives on environmental protection strategies.”

LASEPA disclosed that at the meeting between the two parties, it was resolved that the batching plant ceases to operate at the present site by April 24, 2022 and pending relocation, palliative measures to reduce air and noise pollution from the activities of the plant shall be ensured.

It was also agreed that the operation of the plant shall be restricted to between 8 am and 5pm on Mondays to Saturdays, while truck movement, in and out of the site shall be restricted to daytime before the close of work at 5pm.

The statement further stated that a three-week grace period should be allowed for the decommissioning of the plant upon relocation of operations, just as a Post Impact Assessment (PIA) Report by accredited environmental consultant shall be carried out by the company upon the decommissioning of the plant.

To forestall such occurrences in the future, LASEPA advise residents to always take interests in new developments/projects in their neighbourhood, especially the ones that may be detrimental to health and environment. It appealed to the general public to promptly report unfriendly activities in their environment to LASEPA, in other to promptly avert pollution and its adverse effect on both human and the environment.