The Lagos State government has shut down several public toilets on Lagos Island following complaints about bad smells that threaten public health and the environment.
The closure was carried out on Sunday by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office in areas including Offin, Balogun, Oke-Arin, and No. 14 Adeniji Adele Road (Olukolu Place). The move came after residents raised alarms over the offensive odours coming from the public toilets, which they said made the environment unpleasant and unhygienic.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the action via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. He explained that the closure was necessary because the foul odours violated the state’s environmental laws and contributed to the spread of waterborne diseases affecting Lagosians.
“This act is an infringement under the state’s environmental laws, leading to the recorded waterborne diseases that negatively impact the citizens’ health,” Wahab said.
The commissioner also warned that the government would continue to act firmly against facilities that pollute the environment or breach sanitation laws. He emphasized that the Wastewater Management Office would not hesitate to clamp down on other public or private places that degrade the environment through poor waste management.
To prevent similar issues, Wahab urged residents and facility managers to properly maintain their toilets. He advised regular emptying of septic tanks and soakaway pits to avoid the illegal discharge of untreated wastewater into the environment.
“We encourage residents to regularly evacuate their septic tanks and soakaway pits. The state government has zero tolerance for the illegal discharge of untreated wastewater into the environment,” the commissioner added.
This action aligns with Lagos State’s ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and public health standards, especially in busy urban areas like Lagos Island where poor waste management can quickly lead to health risks for residents and visitors.
The government’s move aims to create a cleaner, safer environment and reduce the spread of diseases caused by contaminated water and poor sanitation. Residents are expected to cooperate by ensuring better maintenance of their sanitation facilities to avoid future closures.
