The Lagos State Government has initiated moves to seal facilities belonging to Access Bank Plc in Oniru, Victoria Island, over alleged environmental infractions linked to poor wastewater management.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that the action followed a whistleblower complaint that prompted officials of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) to inspect one of the bank’s premises.
According to him, the inspection revealed that the facility’s wastewater treatment plant was not operational, resulting in the discharge of untreated fecal matter into public drainage channels, thereby causing environmental pollution in the area.
Wahab further stated that attempts by enforcement officials to take regulatory action were resisted.
“During the enforcement visit, officials of LSWMO were denied access to seal the facility. Security personnel and management representatives of the bank resisted our officers and, in the process, attacked members of the enforcement team,” he said.
He added that samples of the effluent discharged from the premises were taken for laboratory analysis, with results confirming the presence of untreated waste.
The state government said it would pursue legal action, including obtaining court orders for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the alleged assault on its officials.
Authorities also noted that enforcement officers would return to the premises, with reinforcement, to carry out closure in line with environmental regulations.
“There will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of environmental laws. Any individual or organization found violating environmental regulations, regardless of status, will be held accountable,” Wahab added.
In a related development, the LSWMO, acting on another whistleblower report, carried out a joint operation on Wednesday night and sealed another Access Bank branch on Land Bridge Avenue, Oniru.
Officials said the branch was found discharging raw fecal matter indiscriminately into drainage systems, causing offensive odor and environmental degradation.
The government maintained that the facility would face sanctions in accordance with existing environmental laws.
