Lagos inaugurates effluent treatment plant, air monitoring station, e-library

By Dada Jackson

The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a mini effluent treatment plant that will determine the toxicity of effluents and industrial/ hazardous wastewater before being released by industries into the atmosphere.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, MrTunji Bello, disclosed this at Alausa at the unveiling of an air monitoring station located at six different locations; a digital e-library and a hybrid vehicle.

According to him, the new additions would empower the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to be better positioned to perform its regulatory role.

He added that in times past when industrial concerns sought the help of LASEPA to assist in analyzing effluents, the agency could not respond as quickly as it should, adding that some industries even went beyond board of releasing such effluent into the atmosphere without seeking the advice of the agency.

His words: “This mini effluent plant came about because of the need to treat wastewater and leftover samples of industrial wastewater from LASEPA’s laboratory. It is regrettable that LASEPA, which has the responsibility for protecting the environment, lacked an acceptable means of treating wastewater until now.”

Bello noted that vigilant members of the public were also not unmindful that with such scenario, LASEPA would have compromised her status as the environmental policeman that ran afoul of the same law it sought to enforce.

He emphasised that now, things could only get better for residents of the state because there is also room for expansion of the capacity of the mini effluent plant in case request for usage increased geometrically, adding that the state would maintain its leading role in environmental management in Nigeria.

He reminded all that the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law 2017 under the relevant sections empowers LASEPA to survey and monitor surface, underground and portable air, land and soil environments in the state to determine pollution levels in them and collect baseline data.

The commissioner commended the World Bank for partnering with the Lagos State Government through LASEPA for the provision quality air monitoring stations located at six different locations in the state.

According to him, the air quality measurement stations are at the LASEPA headquarters, Alausa, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Lekki, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, University of Lagos, Akoka, Jankara, Lagos Island and Ikorodu will measure the air quality across its locations and aid better policy formulation on the environment in the state.

Bello reiterated that the air quality measuring station would ensure comprehensive knowledge of the air quality of the Lagos environment, while helping to identify pollution and their sources.

He said the e-library would fast-track the achievement of the goals and objectives of monitoring, controlling and regulating the environment to make it safe and healthy.

Bello commended the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, and her management team for driving the process that had seen renewed vibrancy in the agency in terms of the delivery of its core mandate.

“I feel proud of what LASEPA has become today due to the innovativeness and shrewd management of resources of the leadership and it is worthy of commendation now that the Agency is responding adequately to its job as the policeman of the atmosphere and the environment”, he said.

Earlier in her welcome address, Fasawe said the maintenance of the environment is a collective responsibility especially on noise pollution and global warming, while urging residents to always ensure its sustainability.

She said the inaugurated projects were aimed at promoting environmental sustainability as the state is moving from a linear economy to a circular economy whereby before manufacturing, recycling would have to be put into consideration.

She commended the United Nations for its technical support always and the World Bank for material provisions to the agency at the event which also had in attendance the Special Adviser on Drainage Services and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Service, Mrs Belinda Odeneye, and her Office of Drainage Services counterpart, Olalekan Shodeinde, with representatives of the United Nations, UNIDO, Zenith Bank, partners agencies and associations.