Lagos shuts Access Bank branch for untreated sewage discharge

The Lagos State Government has shut down an Access Bank Plc branch on Victoria Island after detecting the flow of untreated sewage into the public drainage system.

According to a statement made by the Lagos state government, the action was taken in response to findings by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) of environmental infractions at the Oniru facility.

The crackdown came in response to a directive from Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, who stated that the step was required to safeguard the environment and guarantee compliance with state regulations.

“Following a whistleblower complaint, I directed the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to visit the Access Bank Plc @myaccessbank building at Oniru, Victoria Island, where it was discovered that the wastewater treatment plant at the facility was non-functional, resulting in the discharge of untreated faecal matter into the public drainage system and causing severe damage to the environment,” Wahab said.

It was gathered that officials of the wastewater agency were initially prevented from carrying out their duties during the first visit, as security personnel and representatives of the bank resisted attempts to seal the premises.

However, samples taken from the discharged waste were later analysed and confirmed to contain untreated sewage, prompting the government to deploy additional enforcement officers to shut down the facility in line with Lagos State environmental regulations.

The commissioner warned that the state would not hesitate to take legal action against individuals or organisations that obstruct government officials in the course of their duties, stressing that strict enforcement would be maintained.

“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”, he stated.

Also reacting, the General Manager of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, said the agency remains committed to protecting public health and ensuring that environmental laws are fully observed across the state.

He noted that there would be no compromise in enforcing compliance, as the agency continues to monitor activities and address violations.