Lagos State Government has announced its plan for a renewed enforcement to regulate groundwater abstraction and penalise industries operating without authorisation.

The state’s Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced during a media briefing on addressing groundwater management and regulatory compliance in the state.

Wahab, who emphasised the critical role of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) in overseeing activities related to the abstraction, production, and consumption of groundwater, stressed the risks posed by unregulated groundwater use, including land subsidence, contamination of water sources, and other environmental hazards, which threaten public health and infrastructure development.

“Unregulated groundwater abstraction denies the government additional opportunities to fund critical infrastructure projects and improve the lives of Lagos residents. We are committed to ensuring compliance with regulatory provisions to protect the environment and public health,” he said.

The commissioner, who said that LASWARCO would intensify enforcement efforts, warned that violators would face significant penalties. However, the Lagos State Government has called on all entities utilising groundwater for production, consumption, or distribution to regularise their operations promptly.

It restated its commitment to sustainable groundwater management, reduction in over-extraction, and ensuring fair and transparent regulation of the water sector, adding: “We urge all organisations falling under the regulated category to come forward and comply with the law. The government remains committed to working with stakeholders to safeguard our water resources.”