The Lagos State Government has sealed a branch of Access Bank Plc in Victoria Island for discharging untreated sewage and obstructing regulatory officials, raising fresh concerns about environmental compliance among major institutions.
The enforcement action was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), following a directive from the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
According to the Commissioner, the intervention was triggered by a whistleblower report. Subsequent inspection of the bank’s facility in Oniru, Victoria Island, revealed that its wastewater treatment plant was non-functional, leading to the discharge of untreated faecal matter into public drainage channels and causing environmental damage.
Officials also encountered resistance during the initial enforcement visit, as security personnel and management representatives reportedly denied access to seal the premises. However, after further action by authorities, the facility was eventually shut down in accordance with Lagos environmental laws.
Laboratory analysis of effluent samples collected from the site confirmed the presence of untreated sewage, reinforcing the government’s decision to take decisive action.
The Commissioner reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental violations, warning that individuals or organisations that assault or obstruct government officials in the line of duty will face legal consequences. He stressed that no institution is above the law.
Also speaking, the General Manager of LSWMO, Adefemi Afolabi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health and ensuring strict adherence to environmental standards across the state.