Lagos State has sealed Balmoral Convention Centre in Victoria Island and Foodies Restaurant in Lekki Phase 1 over improper wastewater disposal into public drains, intensifying enforcement against environmental violations across the state.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, through his official X account.

The enforcement followed investigations which revealed that both establishments discharged untreated wastewater into drainage systems, causing pollution, foul odour, and public health concerns despite previous warnings.

According to Wahab, the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) shut Balmoral Convention Centre after authorities discovered raw sewage was being pumped directly into public drains, alongside wastewater overflow from a blocked sewage chamber.

The agency said the violations created severe environmental pollution, drainage contamination, and persistent public nuisance in the area.

“Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, sealed off Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island over indiscriminate discharge of raw sewage into the public drain via the use of a pumping machine and unattended wastewater spillage from a blocked sewage chamber causing public nuisance and foul smell,” he stated.

Foodies Restaurant, located at Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1, was also sealed for discharging untreated wastewater containing fats and oils into public drains.

The agency noted that the restaurant’s actions contributed to blocked drainage channels, environmental pollution, and repeated nuisance despite earlier compliance warnings.

The development is part of a broader enforcement drive by Lagos authorities against residential and commercial properties violating wastewater management regulations.

In January 2026, the state sealed a residential estate on Ladipo Omotesho Street, Lekki Phase 1, over environmental nuisance and obstruction of enforcement officials.

Similarly, in September 2025, EMCEL Court Phase I and Well Stock Apartments in Ikota GRA, Eti-Osa, were shut for illegal wastewater discharge.

In April 2026, Viva Bella Court II in Lekki Peninsula was sealed for deliberate release of untreated wastewater and septic tank spillage into public drains.

Lagos State recently resumed its monthly environmental sanitation exercise on April 25, 2026, as part of efforts to maintain environmental cleanliness and reduce flooding risks.

The exercise is backed by enforcement measures to ensure compliance, with penalties including fines and up to three months imprisonment for illegal dumping and littering.

The renewed sanitation drive, alongside stricter wastewater enforcement, underscores the state government’s commitment to strengthening environmental governance and improving public health outcomes.

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The Ogun State Waste Management Authority has sealed the Ijebu-Mushin market in Ijebu East Local Government Area over persistent poor sanitation and indiscriminate waste disposal.

The enforcement action, according to the government, followed repeated warnings to market leaders and traders, which were allegedly ignored.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on OGWAMA, Farook Akintunde, said the closure became necessary to safeguard public health and environmental standards.

He explained that traders in the market consistently failed to patronise the designated Private Sector Participant (PSP) responsible for waste evacuation, opting instead to dump refuse indiscriminately within the market premises.

Akintunde noted that despite government intervention, including mechanical evacuation of accumulated waste and the provision of roll-on roll-off bins, compliance remained poor.

“They refused to use the waste facilities provided and continued unhygienic practices, leaving the government with no choice but to act,” he stated.

The state government emphasized that it would not tolerate actions capable of endangering the health and well-being of residents.

Akintunde warned that unsanitary conditions in markets could lead to contamination of goods and increase the risk of disease outbreaks within the community.

He added that the market would remain closed until traders comply with proper sanitation standards and adopt approved waste disposal methods.

The development adds to previous enforcement actions by the state government, including the temporary closure of Kuto Market in Abeokuta over similar environmental violations.

Authorities reiterated their commitment to maintaining clean and safe public spaces, urging market operators across the state to adhere strictly to environmental regulations.

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The Federal Government says its urban renewal programme has delivered critical infrastructure to over 150 communities across Nigeria in the past two years, as part of efforts to improve living conditions in underserved areas.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, disclosed this during a meeting with the Society for Water and Sanitation in Abuja.

According to the minister, the interventions span key sectors including road construction, drainage systems, electricity, solar street lighting, water supply, sanitation facilities, and community-based micro-stores.

He explained that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to upgrade slums and promote sustainable urban development, particularly in densely populated areas lacking basic amenities.

Dangiwa noted that the ministry is also exploring collaboration with NEWSAN to strengthen nationwide advocacy on water, sanitation, and hygiene, stressing that both organisations share aligned development priorities.

He added that the government’s urban renewal drive is designed to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.

Despite the progress, the minister acknowledged that limited funding remains a major constraint, hindering the expansion of the programme to more communities nationwide.

He further revealed that a significant portion of constituency projects facilitated through the ministry by lawmakers is focused on water and sanitation, which he described as critical to improving public health and quality of life.

According to him, over 60 percent of these interventions target water and sanitation needs due to their immediate impact on communities.

Dangiwa credited the ministry’s Special Projects Unit, alongside departments such as Urban and Regional Development and Engineering Services, for driving the implementation of these projects.

He also assured stakeholders of the ministry’s commitment to adopting data-driven approaches, including documenting project outcomes before and after execution to better demonstrate impact and accountability.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, said efforts are ongoing to address sanitation challenges despite financial limitations. He revealed that the ministry is considering the construction of safe public toilets in markets and other public spaces.

Earlier, NEWSAN National Coordinator, Benson Attah, said the organisation collaborates with over 300 civil society and community-based groups to expand access to clean water and sanitation across Nigeria.

While commending the government’s efforts in housing, Attah urged increased focus on water, sanitation, and hygiene, noting that progress remains uneven across states.

He recalled Nigeria’s 2018 declaration of a national emergency on water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as ongoing policies aimed at eliminating open defecation.

According to him, only a few states have achieved open defecation-free status, highlighting the need for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments.

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Residents of satellite communities around Abuja are raising alarm over worsening environmental conditions caused by uncontrolled refuse dumps, describing daily life as “hellish” due to persistent stench and health risks.

Across densely populated areas such as Karu, Nyanya, Kurudu, and neighbouring Mararaba, heaps of uncollected waste now dominate roadsides and residential spaces.

From early morning until late at night, the smell of decomposing refuse lingers in the air, seeping into homes and affecting residents’ daily lives.

Daily Life in a Polluted Environment

Many of the affected residents are low- to middle-income earners who cannot afford housing in the city centre, forcing them to settle in poorly serviced outskirts.

In these communities, makeshift dumpsites have become a permanent feature. Waste ranging from rotting food to plastics and medical debris spills onto roads, attracting flies, animals, and scavengers.

Residents say illegal dumping, often carried out at night by waste handlers, has worsened the situation due to weak enforcement.

Health Risks on the Rise

Health concerns are mounting as exposure to unmanaged waste increases.

Medical experts warn that toxic gases such as methane and carbon monoxide from decomposing refuse can lead to respiratory illnesses, including asthma and bronchitis.

In addition, stagnant water around dumpsites has created breeding grounds for mosquitoes, contributing to malaria outbreaks, while contamination risks have heightened cases of typhoid and diarrhoea.

Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, with many residents reporting recurring illnesses and rising healthcare costs.

Livelihoods Under Threat

Beyond health implications, the crisis is taking a toll on economic activities in affected areas.

Small business owners, including traders, mechanics, and food vendors, report declining patronage as customers avoid environments plagued by foul odours and flies.

For many, the waste crisis has become both a public health emergency and an economic burden.

Government Responsibility and Gaps

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board stated that its mandate is limited to the Federal Capital City, excluding satellite towns where the problem is most severe.

This clarification has exposed a broader coordination gap between agencies responsible for waste management in the capital region.

However, residents argue that institutional boundaries should not come at the expense of public health and safety.

Calls for Urgent Intervention

Affected communities are calling for immediate government action, including improved waste collection systems, stricter enforcement against illegal dumping, and the creation of designated disposal sites.

There are also demands for better collaboration among relevant authorities to address what many describe as a looming environmental disaster.

Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike has reportedly threatened sanctions against contractors responsible for poor refuse evacuation, signaling possible enforcement measures.

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As Lagos continues to grapple with environmental challenges linked to rapid urbanisation, residents across the state have raised alarm over the city’s deteriorating air quality largely caused by indiscriminate waste burning, vehicle emissions, and poor sanitation practices.

In separate interviews with our source, residents from Ikorodu to Alagbado described how fumes from refuse fires, exhaust pipes, and industrial discharges now hang constantly in the air, posing serious health risks and environmental hazards.

A civil servant in Ikorodu, Mrs Itunu Dada, said that most residents prefer to burn waste instead of engaging licensed waste collectors. “When you go outside, you see smoke everywhere.

It causes cough, chest pain, and irritation. Around the markets, heaps of refuse on road medians emit offensive odours. It’s terrible,” she said.

Dada urged the Lagos State Government to enforce stricter sanitation laws and increase the frequency of waste evacuation.

“Those clearing drains often leave waste piled up for weeks. When it rains, it all washes back into the drainage. We need a task force to stop illegal dumping and burning,” she added.

In Alimosho, Mrs Stella Lawrence, a teacher, said air pollution has become part of daily life. “Many commercial vehicles emit thick black fumes because they’re not roadworthy. Generator use also makes it worse. The government should phase out unfit vehicles and improve power supply to reduce generator dependence,” she said.

Similarly, Miss Chioma Ndukwe, a communications expert in Okota, said the air in densely populated areas like Oshodi has become unbearable.

“Walking through Oshodi Market feels like choking — between exhaust fumes, burning waste, and poor sanitation, breathing clean air is a struggle,” she noted.

Ndukwe called for stricter vehicle emission checks, industrial regulation, and better public sanitation. “Everyone deserves to breathe clean air in Lagos,” she said.

In Lekki, Mr Bruno Ajede, a businessman, said though the area is relatively cleaner, fumes from vehicles remain a major issue.

“Air pollution causes respiratory problems like asthma. It’s a serious public health threat,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Ajibola Ajayi, a marketer in Alagbado, said vehicular pollution in his community remains unchecked. “Many cars here emit heavy smoke, yet no one monitors them,” he complained.

Reacting, Mr Friday Oku, President of the Association of Wastepickers of Lagos, linked the problem to Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels.

“Our continued reliance on petrol and diesel is harming both health and the environment. We must embrace renewable energy and cleaner alternatives like CNG,” he said.

Oku criticised inconsistent government policies, including the recent ban on “cart pushers,” saying such actions worsen emissions. “Replacing carts with tricycles only adds to pollution. It shows poor policy direction,” he stated.

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, said it remains committed to improving air quality under its Blue and Green Economy Initiative and Air Quality Monitoring Network.

The state has also deployed mobile sensors to monitor pollution levels and enforce compliance among industries and transport operators.

However, environmental advocates argue that without stronger law enforcement and public behavioural change, Lagos’ ambition for clean air will remain far from reality.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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