Lagos Seals Ikoyi Property Over Untreated Sewage Discharge Into Canal

The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) on Wednesday sealed a property located at No. 5, Manuwa Street, Ikoyi, for allegedly discharging untreated sewage into a nearby canal through a non-functional sewage treatment plant, authorities said.
The enforcement action followed public complaints and subsequent investigations, which confirmed that untreated wastewater was being continuously released into the drainage channel, creating an unsanitary environment and posing risks to public health and the environment.
According to the Lagos State government, officials discovered that the property’s sewage treatment facility was moribund and no longer functional, resulting in the direct discharge of untreated effluent into the canal. Authorities said the practice generated persistent foul odour, constituted environmental pollution, and created a public nuisance for residents and other users of the area.
The government said the property was sealed in line with its environmental sanitation and wastewater management enforcement efforts aimed at protecting public health and preventing pollution of Lagos’ waterways.
The Lagos State government reiterated its commitment to enforcing environmental regulations across the state and warned that property owners and facility managers must ensure their wastewater treatment systems are properly maintained and operated in accordance with applicable standards.
It urged residents, businesses and institutions to comply strictly with approved wastewater management practices, stressing that violations of environmental laws would attract appropriate sanctions, including the sealing of offending premises and possible prosecution under the state’s relevant environmental legislation.
The authorities added that the enforcement exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to improve sanitation, safeguard water bodies from contamination, and promote a cleaner and healthier environment across Lagos State.