The Lagos State Government has raised a major alarm over the direct link between environmental pollution and the health of its residents. Officials revealed that a significant quarter of all diseases reported in hospitals across the state are traceable to a polluted environment.
Alarming Health Statistics and Enforcement Actions
Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), made this startling disclosure during a statewide sensitisation seminar. The event, themed "Treat your industrial waste responsibly and protect our environment for a sustainable future," gathered key stakeholders to address the critical issue.
Dr. Ajayi emphasised that environmental pollution has a huge negative effect on health, stating that the two are inseparable. He provided concrete evidence of the government's seriousness, announcing that LASEPA has sanctioned no fewer than 74 firms for environmental pollution violations this year alone.
The Scale of Industrial Effluent Discharge
Adding to the gravity of the situation, a former General Manager of LASEPA, Antonio Ayodele, presented even more concerning data. In a lecture on sustainable effluent management, he disclosed that over 700 industries discharge waste into the Lagos environment every day.
He noted that while some companies release effluent during daylight hours, others engage in the practice covertly at night, sometimes using buried pipes to evade detection. This highlights the persistent challenge of regulating industrial waste disposal.
A Call for Compliance and Community Vigilance
Despite the sanctions, Dr. Ajayi clarified that LASEPA prioritises compliance over punishment. He stated that the agency regularly conducts awareness campaigns to help stakeholders understand environmental standards. He, however, issued a firm reminder that all companies must comply with waste disposal regulations, no matter their circumstances.
The LASEPA boss also made a direct appeal to the public, imploring residents to be vigilant. He urged communities to report any organisation they see discharging large volumes of untreated waste or effluent into the environment.
Echoing the sentiment on collaboration, Oladipupo Adeyemi, a representative from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment, commended LASEPA for the seminar. He affirmed that a good environment is synonymous with good health, and information mobilisation is key to achieving compliance for a safer, healthier Lagos.
