LASEPA seals 367 buildings over environmental law infractions in 12 months

Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has revealed that 367 buildings were shut for violating environmental issues that included noise pollution and improper effluent discharge across the state.

The Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this at the ongoing ministerial press briefing to mark the first year of second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in office.

Wahab said: “The ministry during the period under review through its State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) undertook 367 enforcement activities in households, markets, hotels, warehouses, service centers, eateries, stores, churches, mosques as well as 140 hospitality facilities including; supermarket, nightclubs, bake houses to ensure compliance with the state environmental laws.”

He added that 76 abatement notices were served to individuals and organisations for violating laws on indiscriminate discharge of raw sewerage into the lagoon or other forms of water and land pollution.

The commissioner nonetheless said that a 25 per cent compliance rate with environmental laws was recorded compared to the previous year.

“LASEPA is committed to combating environmental threats, creating a healthy lifestyle and a tranquil environment that is symbolic of smart cities such as Lagos and the agency has been at the forefront of the fight against noise pollution which has recorded very significant success.

“The agency also engaged in advocacy and sensitization programmes through investigative visits to communities, industries and other public places to educate residents on the need to reduce bad air quality for healthy living and green environment.

LASEPA team was in Ago Egun, Ilaje Community in Bariga, Abattoir in Agege, and other communities towards achieving improved air quality for healthy living.”

In its bid to combat noise pollution, he said Lagos State through LASEPA organised various noise awareness advocacies, one of which was the commemoration of the International Noise Awareness Day and the 8th edition of the Noiseless Lagos Campaign held at LASEPA premises as well as other noise enlightenment campaigns where over 200 participants have benefitted from the free hearing test.