By Elias Nnamdi
The Lagos State government seals a residential building without toilets to reinforce public health and sanitation practices.
Insight on Lagos State Takes Action Against Building Lacking Toilets
Lagos State’s Wastewater Management Office has recently taken decisive action, sealing a building without toilets in Agege over its lack of basic sanitation facilities. This property, a bungalow on Adedosu Street, Otubu, was found to house over ten rooms yet lacked essential toilet facilities. Instead, residents relied on outdated, dilapidated pit latrines with visible, exposed waste, posing serious health hazards.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, highlighted this enforcement as a crucial step in achieving a “sustainable environment” across Lagos. Following complaints from nearby residents, authorities responded by assessing the building’s conditions.
“LSWMO in continued demonstration of its commitment to a sustainable environment, proper sanitation and public health safety in the state has sealed off a residential property on Adedosu Street, Otubu, Agege. The bungalow with over 10 rooms has no toilet facilities but dilapidated pit latrines filled with exposed faecal matter,” Tokunbo Wahab said.
“This was following the receipt of a public complaint from concerned residents.” Wahab stated. This move not only addresses the specific complaint but sets a preventive example for other residential buildings in Lagos, especially amidst concerns over possible cholera outbreaks.
Enforcement Efforts and Public Health Warnings
The closure of this property marks the Lagos State Government strong stance on sanitation and its public health implications. As Wahab acknowledged, the risk of diseases, particularly cholera, can escalate in areas with poor waste management practices, which lack basic facilities and proper disposal mechanisms.
With sanitation central to the health and environment objectives of Lagos, authorities stress the necessity of suitable toilets and waste management for each residential building in the region.
General Manager Adefemi Afolabi, who is the leader of the inspection, urged citizens to recognize the link between sanitation and overall environmental sustainability. “Citizens are further advised to embrace proper sanitation and hygiene practices to enhance public health and environmental sustainability,” he said.