The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, LSWMO, on Thursday, sealed off Ejanla Restaurant located at No. 40, Fola Osibo Street, Lekki, Lagos, for allegedly discharging raw sewage into public drainage systems via a pumping machine.
The action, confirmed in a post on the verified handle of Commissioner for Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, is in response to community complaints of a persistent offensive odour and environmental degradation.
The operation was carried out after investigations uncovered that the restaurant had installed a pumping system that diverted untreated wastewater directly into the public drain network.
Commissioner Wahab emphasised the potential dangers of such activities, noting that: “Every act of environmental nuisance and pollution portends grave dangers to public health and will be met with appropriate sanctions and or prosecution.”
Residents of the Lekki neighbourhood had raised concerns over foul smells and visible pollutants emanating from the drainage channel near the restaurant.
Following a review of complaints, the LSWMO determined that the establishment’s pumping of raw sewage into public drains constituted both an environmental and health hazard, and issued the closure order accordingly.
Commissioner Wahab called on other businesses and residents alike to obey wastewater disposal guidelines and to report any suspicious or hazardous discharge behaviours to the relevant authorities.
“We shall not tolerate businesses compromising the health of Lagosians by polluting our environment and misusing public infrastructure,” he declared.
