Olusegun Adeyemo
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has intensified its clampdown on environmental infractions, sealing multiple establishments in the Ifako-Ijaiye and Igando areas over repeated cases of noise and air pollution.
The agency announced the enforcement action in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, following an operation conducted on Monday.
Among the sealed premises were the Cherubim and Seraphim (King of Kings) Church in Georgius Cole Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye; a fufu-making shop cited for heat and air pollution; and Tyonex Nigeria Limited on LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, which was shut down for creating environmental nuisance.
LASEPA’s General Manager, Babatunde Ajayi, said the enforcement exercise was part of the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health and restoring environmental order across the state.
According to him, the agency had received numerous complaints from residents regarding the church’s persistent noise pollution despite previous warnings.
“As much as there is freedom of worship in Lagos State, no individual or organisation is permitted to infringe on the rights of others or negatively impact their health in the name of religious activities,” Ajayi stated.
He further condemned the church’s operation within a residential estate without due compliance with environmental standards, emphasizing LASEPA’s zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of pollution.
In a related development, reports indicate that the Lagos State Government also sealed the sewage and wastewater treatment facility of the Yaba College of Technology for allegedly discharging untreated sewage into the environment.
The enforcement was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, after the institution reportedly ignored several warning letters.