Korede Abdullah 
Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government shuts down an Access Bank Plc branch in Victoria Island after uncovering the discharge of untreated sewage into public drainage systems.
Authorities say the enforcement follows investigations by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office and the Environmental Sanitation Corps after a whistleblower report flagged violations at the Oniru facility.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab says inspections reveal a non-functional wastewater treatment plant.
“Untreated faecal matter was discharged into the public drainage system, causing severe environmental damage,” Wahab states.
Officials initially face resistance during inspection, but laboratory analysis later confirms the presence of untreated sewage, prompting a reinforced enforcement operation that leads to the closure.
Wahab issues a strict warning: “There are no sacred cows in the enforcement of environmental regulations. Any individual or organisation found violating environmental laws will be held accountable.”
General Manager of the wastewater agency Adefemi Afolabi says monitoring and enforcement will continue to protect public health and the environment.
Environmental analysts warn that untreated sewage poses serious risks, including water contamination and disease outbreaks in densely populated urban areas.
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Hussaini Ibrahim 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 