The Lagos State Government has sealed a branch of Access Bank Plc in Victoria Island over alleged discharge of untreated sewage and obstruction of regulatory officials.
The enforcement operation, carried out at the bank’s facility in Oniru, Victoria Island, was led 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 the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
According to the Commissioner, the action was triggered by a whistleblower report, which prompted an inspection of the facility. He disclosed that officials discovered a non-functional wastewater treatment plant at the premises, resulting in the discharge of untreated faecal matter into public drainage channels.
Wahab noted that the environmental violation posed serious risks to public health and the ecosystem, necessitating immediate government intervention.
He further revealed that enforcement officers initially faced resistance from security personnel and management representatives of the bank, who allegedly denied them access to seal the premises during the first visit.
However, after samples of the discharged effluent were collected and analysed, authorities confirmed the presence of untreated sewage, prompting the reinforcement of enforcement teams to shut down the facility in accordance with Lagos State environmental laws.
“There are no sacred cows in the enforcement of environmental regulations. Any individual or organisation found violating environmental laws, regardless of status, will be held accountable,” Wahab stated, stressing the government’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental infractions.
Also reacting, the General Manager of LSWMO, Adefemi Afolabi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring strict compliance with environmental standards across the state.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about environmental compliance among corporate organisations operating in high-profile areas of Victoria Island, with the government reiterating its readiness to prosecute offenders and enforce regulations without compromise.
