The Lagos State Government has sealed Mega Plaza on Breadfruit Street, Lagos Island, for discharging untreated wastewater into public drains.

The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) enforced the closure after monitoring the property at night and obtaining photographic evidence of violations.

In a statement published on the official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, the government revealed that the facility used a pumping machine at night to discharge untreated wastewater into public drains, polluting the environment and exposing citizens to communicable diseases.

“The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) has continued to demonstrate its dedication to ensuring credible and sustainable wastewater management in the State by once again clamping down on the Mega Plaza on Breadfruit Street, Lagos Island for discharging untreated wastewater into the public drains, through the use of a pumping machine,” the statement read in part.

The statement further noted that the General Manager of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, reiterated the State’s zero tolerance for environmental pollution and degradation.

Afolabi stressed that the agency remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring a clean and healthy environment for the benefit of public health.

He emphasized that properties and facilities violating environmental laws would face strict sanctions by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.

A section of the Trademore estate market in Lugbe, Abuja, has been razed by fire.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday.

Manzo Ezekiel, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesperson, confirmed the incident to TheCable.

“I was awoken by calls as early as around 4am concerning the fire at the market, at the Trademore market,” the spokesperson said.

“I put calls across to our contacts. In fact, when I called our contact centre, they confirmed to me that they had received similar alerts.”

Ezekiel said personnel of the fire service have put out the conflagration.

“And we were trying to reach the fire service. So, thank God, we were able to mobilise and the fire service arrived at the spot and they have put out the fire,” he added.

“The incident happened this morning, I was alerted around 4-5, a few minutes to 5 o’clock.”

The NEMA spokesperson added that he cannot confirm if there were casualties, as he is currently out of Abuja on an assignment in Sokoto.

Reiterates Commitment to Waterways Safety and Swift Rescue Operations
 
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, deeply commiserates with the Government and people of Kogi State, particularly the families affected by the boat tragedy on the 29th of November, 2024.

The mishap, which occurred along the Dambo-Ebuchi waterways of the River Niger in Kupa Local Government Area, involved over 160 passengers, with 24 rescued and others still unaccounted for.
 
In response to this tragic incident, the IGP has directed the Force Marine Officer to lead a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the mishap.

The aim is to identify contributing factors and develop actionable strategies to prevent similar occurrences on the nation’s waterways.

This investigation will also provide insights into improving the overall safety and emergency response systems for water transport across the country.
 
The IGP further assures the people of Kogi State and Nigerians at large of the unwavering commitment of the Police Force in coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the swift rescue of missing passengers. Resources and operational modalities have been activated to intensify search and rescue efforts.
 
Additionally, the IGP calls on waterway operators, boat owners, and other stakeholders to work closely with the Force Marine Department in adopting and enforcing critical safety measures to protect passengers and operators alike.
 
The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in enhancing safety on waterways, ensuring justice for victims, and mitigating future risks through strengthened collaborations and proactive measures.
 
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA.
 
30TH NOVEMBER 2024