Lagos threatens to shut Oko-Oba abattoir over unhygienic practices, environmental infractions

Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning of possible closure to operators and traders at the abattoir in Oko-Oba, Agege Local Government Area if they fail to comply with the state environmental laws within the stipulated period.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the warning on Thursday, during a continuation of the project’s inspection of the facility

Wahab, while speaking with newsmen after the inspection, said the warning has become necessary following petitions received over persistent environmental infractions based on flagrant non-compliance with the extant laws.

This is coming as the state concluded plans to reintroduce the suspended monthly environmental sanitation exercise as well as continued crackdown on poor sanitation practices across the state.

The commissioner expressed deep concern over the deplorable environmental conditions in the Abattoir with reckless abandon.

“We have given them a number of days to comply. If they fail to comply, we will have no other choice than to do the needful by sealing the facility,” Wahab warned.

He noted that, though the market leaders have given their word to comply with the environmental laws, the state government will not hesitate to enforce closure if there is no visible compliance after the expiration of the grace period.

The petition, which originated from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, he said, called for urgent intervention to address what could best be described as “environmental degradation of the highest order.’

According to Wahab, “What we saw there is simply catastrophic. The abattoir has become a lawless zone where human beings now sleep in shelters originally built for animals. They discharge waste directly into public drainage and have completely defied environmental regulations.

The facility, which is expected to comply with basic hygiene and waste management standards, has turned into a breeding ground for health hazards.

You cannot operate an abattoir and be a law unto yourself. This is beyond Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA now. It requires full collaboration with Lagos State Waste Water Management Office, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, and the Ministry of Agriculture. “We will enforce the law to the letter if they fail to do the needful.’

Addressing the poor state of sanitation and slaughtering practices at the abattoir, Wahab urged butchers and meat sellers to adhere to established benchmarks or face sanctions.

“This is about public health. There are laws regulating the abattoir system, and those must be respected. It’s no longer business as usual,” he said.

The Commissioner and entourage also inspected the Jonathan Coker Canal, at Fagba, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government area where he directed leaders of the Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the area to take active possession of the public infrastructure, particularly, the canal provided through hard-earned taxpayers’ money following persistent vandalism.

He revealed that some individuals had been found chiselling iron rods from bridges and drainage systems funded by taxpayers.

“These infrastructure cost the state huge resources. We can’t build and still police them daily. The three CDA chairmen here today must step up. It’s your community. Protect what is yours,” he urged.

Wahab further decried residents’ refusal to pay for waste services, opting instead to dump refuse indiscriminately by patronising banned truck pushers.

He affirmed that the government is actively prosecuting offenders caught in the act and would not relent in its efforts to enforce environmental laws across Lagos.

“Our laws are clear. You generate your waste, pay for it. No more freeloading. We are also grateful that many Lagosians are beginning to take ownership and whistle-blow on violations. It’s a gradual process, but we’re making progress,” Wahab added.

Floods

Also, while speaking on the state government’s plans against flooding in the state, the commissioner warned of potential flash floods in parts of the state due to tidal lockups.

Wahab assured that necessary measures have been put in place to reduce the incidence of flooding during rainfalls, even as he urged residents to play their part by refraining from indiscriminate refuse dumping in canals and drainage channels so as not to impede the easy flow of storm water as well as ensure a flood-free city.