The Lagos State Government has dismissed reports suggesting that residents will be subjected to a newly introduced borehole tax, insisting that its ongoing groundwater monitoring exercise is intended to enforce existing environmental regulations rather than impose a fresh tax.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, clarified the government’s position following widespread concerns and social media discussions over the regulation of private boreholes across the state.
Wahab explained that the exercise is being carried out under existing legislation governing groundwater extraction, borehole drilling and environmental protection.
He maintained that the government had not introduced any new tax law targeting private borehole owners.
Lagos Government Explains Borehole Regulation
According to Wahab, the regulatory exercise is backed by Section 312(1)(XVII) of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
The legislation provides a legal framework for regulating groundwater resources and controlling indiscriminate borehole drilling.
The commissioner said the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) has intensified compliance monitoring to ensure groundwater extraction activities follow applicable environmental requirements.
He explained that the regulation is intended to reduce the risks associated with uncontrolled drilling, including groundwater contamination, land subsidence and threats to water security.
The commissioner also urged residents to distinguish between regulatory compliance obligations and the introduction of a new tax.
Lagos Warns Against Unauthorised Borehole Drilling
The clarification follows an earlier warning by LASWARCO that operators drilling boreholes or extracting groundwater without the necessary approvals could face enforcement action.
The commission’s Executive Secretary, Oluwabukola Khadijah Adeyemo, expressed concern over drilling activities undertaken without the permits required under applicable regulations.
She warned that facilities found operating unlawfully could be sealed, while violators could face prosecution.
The commission maintained that effective groundwater management is necessary to safeguard public health, prevent environmental damage and protect water resources for future generations.
Controversy Over Permits for Domestic Boreholes
However, the renewed enforcement campaign has raised questions about whether ordinary households using boreholes exclusively for domestic water supply are subject to the same licensing requirements as commercial groundwater operators.
A coalition of civil society organisations has called on LASWARCO to clarify the distinction, citing provisions of the 2017 law that it says exempt certain household boreholes from licensing.
The concerns highlight the need for clear public guidance on which categories of borehole users require permits and whether any existing regulatory fees apply.
While the Lagos government insists that no new borehole tax has been introduced, that clarification does not necessarily mean that all groundwater-related regulatory fees have been abolished or that every type of borehole requires a licence.
Lagos Promises Improved Public Water Supply
Wahab acknowledged the difficulties many Lagos residents experience in accessing clean and reliable public water supplies.
He said the state government remains committed to investing in water infrastructure and expanding access to safe drinking water.
Across many residential estates and communities, private boreholes remain an important alternative for households and property owners who cannot depend entirely on public water infrastructure.
The reliance on privately sourced water has made groundwater regulation an important issue for homeowners, landlords, estate developers and facility managers.
Wahab maintained that the government’s approach seeks to balance environmental protection with the need to ensure sustainable water availability.
What Lagos Residents and Property Developers Should Know
The government’s clarification means that the current enforcement exercise is not being presented as a newly introduced tax.
However, individuals and businesses planning to drill boreholes should establish whether their proposed activity requires regulatory approval under the applicable law.
Property developers, commercial water suppliers and facility managers may also need to review their groundwater extraction activities to ensure compliance with relevant requirements.
For residents using boreholes strictly for household purposes, further clarity on the legal exemptions and any applicable conditions remains particularly important.
The Lagos State Government has encouraged residents to obtain accurate information through official channels rather than relying on unverified social media claims.
The latest development brings renewed attention to the wider challenge of ensuring reliable public water supply while protecting groundwater resources in Nigeria’s most populous urban centre.
