The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), has warned property owners against using their facilities as illegal scrap yards, saying it promoted environmental pollution.
The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, gave the warning on Sunday, in a statement by the Chief Public Affairs Officer of the agency, Mrs Bola Ajao, in Lagos.
Fasawe said the warning became necessary, following a shocking discovery of an illegal storage and scrap yard, in a two-storey building, at Ikorodu area of the state.
She stated the illegal facility, had been sealed, adding that activities in the facility, polluted the environment.
She said the agency had received distress calls from concerned residents, about the environmental unfriendly activities taking place at Salvation Avenue of Ikorodu-Owode Onirin.
The general manager pointed out that the agency’s team, visited the facility and was refused entry by the security guards, who claimed the premises was a private property and that the occupants were not in.
She noted that the agency had pasted an abatement notice, inviting the property owner or concerned person, which was flagrantly ignored.
“We, however, discovered that during our second visit, the building which occupies four plots of land with unknown address has an illegal scrap yard that engages in nefarious activities.
“We discovered storage of unwholesome processed foods, repackaging of drugs and juice drinks, improper destruction of expired drugs, chemicals, recycling of metals as well as dismantling of electrical and electronics waste within the premises.
“It’s worrisome to note that people operate unlawfully in a residential environment, unchallenged by neighbours. Individual selfish interests must not be allowed to override communal benefits,” she added.
She advised residents to be mindful of whom they allowed into their neighbourhood and the consequences of their actions to society.
The LASEPA boss noted all expired drugs, chemicals, as well as e-waste materials, should be treated and recycled in a sustainable environment before disposal.
“To protect our earth from man-made disaster, report all unlawful conducts to the authority for timely intervention.
“The Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017, section VI, sub sections 181, 182, 183 and 185, prohibits individuals or group from discharging into the environment, any untreated waste or chemical substances, listed in any Federal and state law in force, except by regulations made under this law and Federal law,” Fasawe said.
She, therefore, enjoined all e-waste recycling operators to ensure they registered their services and be accredited by the agency, adding that there would be no hiding place for illegal operators in the state.
