Dare Babalola
The Lagos State Government has intensified its enforcement of environmental regulations, sealing a branch of Access Bank Plc in Victoria Island over what authorities describe as serious violations linked to wastewater management and obstruction of officials.
The clampdown, which took place at the bank’s Oniru facility, underscores a broader push by the state to hold corporate organisations accountable for environmental infractions, particularly those affecting public health and urban infrastructure.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that the action followed a whistleblower alert that prompted an immediate investigation by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office.
According to him, inspectors found that the bank’s wastewater treatment system had broken down, leading to the discharge of untreated waste into public drainage channels — a development he said poses significant environmental and sanitary risks.
“It was discovered that the wastewater treatment plant at the facility was non-functional, resulting in the discharge of untreated faecal matter into the public drainage system and causing severe damage to the environment,” Wahab stated.
Beyond the environmental breach, the situation escalated during enforcement, with officials reportedly facing resistance while attempting to carry out their duties.
“During the enforcement visit, officials were denied access to seal the facility. Security personnel and management representatives resisted our officers and, in the process, attacked members of the enforcement team,” he added.
Authorities said samples collected from the site have already been analysed, with laboratory results confirming contamination consistent with untreated wastewater discharge.
The state government signalled its intention to escalate the matter legally, including pursuing court orders for the arrest and prosecution of those allegedly involved in the confrontation with enforcement officers.
Wahab stressed that the incident reflects a wider pattern the government is determined to confront, warning that enforcement will be applied uniformly across all sectors.
“There will be no sacred cows. Any individual or organisation found violating environmental laws, regardless of status, will be held accountable,” he said.
The move highlights Lagos’ renewed focus on environmental compliance, particularly in high-density commercial zones where infrastructure pressure and waste management challenges remain critical concerns.
