Lagos authorities have sealed the sewage facility of Yaba College of Technology after discovering that the institution was allegedly discharging untreated waste into the environment, a move officials say poses serious public health risks.
The enforcement was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, after several warning letters sent to the college were reportedly ignored.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development in a post on X on Friday, explaining that the action became necessary following YABATECH’s failure to comply with environmental safety regulations.
“The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office sealed off the dysfunctional sewage and wastewater treatment facility of Yaba College of Technology for illegally discharging raw sewage into the environment,” Wahab said.
He noted that the illegal discharge violated the Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017, which prohibits the release of untreated wastewater or sewage into drains, canals, or the natural environment.
According to Wahab, untreated sewage poses serious health and environmental hazards and undermines the state’s broader sustainability goals.
“The Lagos State Government frowns at every act of illegal discharge of wastewater, which is inimical to public health and environmental protection,” he added.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws across both public and private institutions, stressing that adherence to wastewater standards is critical to achieving a cleaner, safer, and flood-free Lagos.
He further explained that the sealing of YABATECH’s facility formed part of the ongoing #ZeroToleranceLagos campaign, designed to hold individuals and organisations accountable for pollution and environmental negligence.
Officials from the Wastewater Management Office said the agency had previously engaged YABATECH’s management, providing technical guidance and compliance timelines before resorting to enforcement action.
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