The Lagos State Government on Friday assured
Lagosians that the new Environmental Protection and Management Law initiated by
the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration was done in the overall
interest of all Lagosians to ensure cleaner environment and public health
safety in the State.
In a press release signed by the Commissioner for
Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the State Government explained
that the Law was in tandem with the reforms in the Environment Sector, aimed at
charting a new direction in recognition of the fact that water, sanitation and
hygiene are non-negotiable requisites in a mega city like Lagos.
According to the Commissioner, the rapid growth of
Lagos, its dream of 24-hour economy and government financial limitations have
made it pertinent to make investor-friendly Laws that will attract the desired
investment into the Sector.
“With the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, the government
reassures all and sundry of its determination to clean the environment in our
state and we are already taking the necessary steps in that direction,” he
said.
While stressing that the Government will not be
frustrated in its determination to achieve a cleaner Lagos by seeming vested
interests working against the reforms, Ayorinde gave assurance that all issues
pertaining to the Cleaner Lagos Initiative are being addressed, especially in
the crucial area of waste management.
“The government is aware of the complaints by
well-meaning citizens over delays being experience in the area of waste
collection. The Ministry of the Environment, the Lagos State Waste Management
Authority (LAWMA) and our ‘sanitation gangs’ are on top of the situation and
will not give in to the sabotage by those who are opposed to the reforms”,
Ayorinde stated.
He also clarified that there was no such thing in
the law that seeks to criminalise individuals sinking boreholes, stating that
only boreholes dug for commercial purposes require license or payment and this
is not a new practice as it has been in existence since.
“The position of the Law today as provided in
sections 253 and 259 of the Environmental Management and Protection Law as it
relates to construction of borehole or well has not changed from what it used
to be.
“First, Landlords are free to dig or construct
boreholes in their houses without any permit or licence, provided that the
regulation on location of such bore-hole is followed, that is the bore-hole, or
well must not be sited near soak away or septic tank,’’ he explained.
The Commissioner stated that Licence is required
only by landlords that intend to construct a borehole or a well for commercial
or industrial use, “meaning that if you dig or construct to sell or for
industrial use, you need location permit”.
He added that in order to make it accessible to
citizens, the Law has been uploaded online and can be accessed on http://laws.lagosstate.gov.ng
– A Law to Consolidate all laws relating to the environment for the management,
protection and sustainable development in Lagos State and for connected
purposes.
He urged Lagosians to team up with the Government
to work for the realization of its development agenda and sustainability goals,
particularly as they relate to the reforms in the Environment Sector where the
people are the direct beneficiaries of the 27,500 new jobs being provided
through this initiative; a cleaner state, and all-year-round drainage management
for effective and efficient flood control, among others as contained in the
Environmental Law.
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