Lagos Government Shuts Down YABATECH Sewage Plant

Table of Contents

1. Shutdown of YABATECH Sewage Facility
2. Enforcement Actions
3. Commissioner's Statement
4. Environmental Law Breach
5. Public Health Concerns
6. Government's Commitment
7. #ZeroToleranceLagos Campaign
8. Previous Engagements with YABATECH

The Lagos State Government has closed the sewage and wastewater treatment facility of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) due to allegations of discharging untreated waste into the environment.

This enforcement action was conducted by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), which operates under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. This decision was made after the institution reportedly ignored several warning letters and failed to address the violations.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced this decision in a post on his verified X account on Friday, stating that the action aligns with the state's zero-tolerance policy regarding environmental violations.

“The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has shut down the malfunctioning sewage/wastewater treatment facility of Yaba College of Technology for unlawfully discharging untreated sewage into the environment,” Wahab stated.

He characterized this act as a violation of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017, which prohibits the disposal of untreated wastewater or sewage into drains, canals, or open areas.

The commissioner emphasized that such illegal discharges pose significant risks to public health and the environment, undermining the state's initiatives to foster a clean and sustainable ecosystem.

“The Lagos State Government is firmly opposed to all forms of illegal wastewater discharge, as they are harmful to public health and environmental stewardship,” he added.

Wahab reiterated the government's commitment to strictly enforcing environmental compliance across both public and private sectors, highlighting that adherence to wastewater management standards is essential for achieving a flood-free, cleaner, and safer Lagos.

He also clarified that this action is part of the ongoing #ZeroToleranceLagos campaign, which aims to hold individuals, organizations, and institutions accountable for pollution, negligence, and other environmental offenses.

Officials from the Wastewater Management Office indicated that the management of YABATECH had previously been engaged and provided with compliance timelines and technical guidance prior to the necessity of sealing the facility.