LASEPA Organises Statewide Sensitisation Seminar For industrial Facilities Of Effluent, Air Pollution Management

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has intensified its efforts to promote environmental responsibility among industries with a statewide sensitisation seminar on effluent and air pollution management. Held at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja, the event brought together key stakeholders, regulators, industry operators, and students to discuss sustainable approaches to reducing the negative impact of industrial waste across Lagos. With the theme “Treat Your Industrial Waste Responsibly and Protect Our Environment for a Sustainable Future,” the seminar underscored the urgent need for collective action in tackling pollution.

In his welcome address, LASEPA’s General Manager, Dr. Tunde Ajayi, stressed the importance of consistent engagement with major industrial operators who generate commercial-scale waste. He highlighted that proactive advocacy remains one of the most effective tools for improving compliance with environmental standards. Dr. Ajayi also noted the severe health risks posed by untreated effluents, citing chemicals from pharmaceutical waste and harmful bacteria from food and beverage industries as potential triggers for serious health crises, including skin irritation and cholera outbreaks.

Dr. Ajayi further explained that enforcement remains a crucial part of the Agency’s strategy. Over the past year, about 70 industries were sanctioned for non-compliance, showing the government’s firm commitment to regulating industrial pollution. However, he noted that compliance levels are improving, rising from 25% to nearly 40% across sectors. Recognizing the challenges faced by smaller industries, LASEPA operates a subsidised treatment plant to support responsible waste disposal and encourage wider compliance.

Representing the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Akodu, the Director of Environmental Education, Mrs. Banire Monsurat, reaffirmed Lagos State’s dedication to building a cleaner and healthier environment. She emphasized that Lagos, as Nigeria’s industrial hub, requires shared responsibility between the government and industry operators to effectively manage pollution. She also highlighted ongoing government investments, including upgraded laboratories, modern treatment systems, and stronger enforcement frameworks designed to support environmental protection and cleaner technologies.

The seminar also featured expert presentations on sustainable waste management and public health risks linked to pollution. Former LASEPA General Manager, Engr. Antonio Ayodele, stressed the need for modern technologies and continuous monitoring to address evolving environmental challenges. In a separate presentation, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, explained how polluted air and water directly affect human health and can lead to long-term complications such as respiratory diseases and congenital anomalies. The seminar concluded with a call for strengthened collaboration to build a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Lagos.