… LASEPA Also Unveils Air Monitoring Station, Digital E-Library, Hybrid Van
The Lagos State Government over the weekend gave respite to industries without capacity to test their effluents and industrial, hazardous wastewater as it commissioned a mini-effluent treatment plant that would determine toxicity before being released into the atmosphere.
Speaking at the commissioning, which also featured the unveiling of an Air Monitoring Station located at six different locations, a Digital E-Library and a Hybrid Vehicle, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello said the new additions will better position the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to perform its regulatory roles.
He noted that in times past when industrial concerns sought the help of LASEPA to assist in analysing effluents, the Agency could not respond as quickly as it should, adding that some industries even went beyond board by releasing such effluent into the atmosphere without seeking the advice of LASEPA.
His words: “This Mini-Effluent plant came about because of the need to treat wastewater and leftover samples of industrial wastewater from LASEPA’s laboratory. It is regrettable that LASEPA, which has the responsibility for protecting the environment, lacked an acceptable means of treating wastewater until now”.
Bello said vigilant members of the public were also not unmindful that with such scenario, LASEPA would have compromised her status as the environmental policeman that runs afoul of the same law it seeks to enforce.
Emphasising that things can only get better for residents, the Commissioner said there is also room for expansion of the capacity of the mini-effluent plant in case requests for usage increase geometrically, such that Lagos will maintain its leading role in environmental management within Nigeria, being the Centre of Excellence.
The Commissioner commended the World Bank for partnering with the State Government, through LASEPA, for the provision quality air monitoring stations located in six different locations across the State.
Bello reiterated that the air quality measurement stations are located at LASEPA headquarters, Alausa; the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Lekki; Abesan Estate, Ipaja; University of Lagos, Akoka; Jankara, Lagos Island and in Ikorodu, to measure the air quality across those locations and aid better policy formulation on the environment in the State.
He reiterated that the measuring stations will ensure a comprehensive knowledge of the Air Quality of the Lagos environment, while helping to identify pollution and their sources, stressing that the digital E-library which was also commissioned would fast track the achievement of the goals and objectives of monitoring, controlling and regulating the environment to make it safe and healthy.
