Lagos Seals Healthcare Facility, Other Properties Over Illegal Sewage Disposal

The Lagos State Government has sealed several properties, including a healthcare facility, over the alleged illegal discharge of untreated sewage into public drains and the open environment.

The enforcement exercise was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) following the discovery of improper sewage disposal practices considered harmful to public health and the environment.

In its latest operation, the agency sealed three properties at Nos. 39, 41 and 43, James Okiki Street, Oko-Oba, for allegedly discharging raw sewage into the surrounding environment.

Darvinks Healthcare, located at No. 13, Hollandia Way, Ajao Estate, Isolo, was also sealed for allegedly pumping sewage directly into public drains instead of using an authorised sewage evacuation service provider.

The General Manager of LSWMO, Adefemi Afolabi, said the agency would continue to sanction property owners and facility operators who violate wastewater management regulations. He warned that indiscriminate sewage disposal, poor wastewater handling and failure to maintain functional sewage infrastructure could attract the closure of affected premises and prosecution.

Afolabi described the discharge of untreated sewage into public drains and open spaces as a serious environmental violation that exposes residents to health risks and undermines sanitation efforts. He stressed that property owners, facility managers and business operators were responsible for maintaining proper sewage infrastructure and ensuring wastewater was evacuated through authorised providers.

Other properties affected by the enforcement exercise included No. 1, Abiola Johnson Street, Alimosho, following the discovery of a burst sewage pipe, and a Funmall facility on T. F. Kuboye Road, Lekki, over alleged deliberate sewage discharge and unsanitary conditions.

The agency also sealed properties at No. 5, Idowu Dabiri Street, Sangotedo; No. 11, Amuto Street, Adeniji, Lagos Island; and No. 55, Temidire Street, Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle, over various sewage disposal and sanitation violations.

The LSWMO boss warned residents and businesses against using pumping machines to discharge untreated sewage into public drainage channels, saying offenders would face regulatory sanctions. He also cautioned members of the public against assaulting or obstructing agency personnel carrying out their official duties.

The agency urged residents to adopt responsible wastewater management practices and report cases of improper sewage disposal through its official telephone lines and social media platforms.