Industrial Effluents Threaten Lagos Lagoon
By Kunle Awosiyan
The Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers has raised the alarm over the threat the indiscriminate discharge of industrial effluent is having on the sanity of Lagos lagoon.
The institution called for quality regulation by the state government in its technical paper, “Industrial Pollution and its Impact on the Lagos Lagoon,”, stating that the regulatory challenges had constantly hindered pollution control in the state.
The presentation noted that the continuous discharge of untreated industrial effluent pose a severe and recurring threat on the water bodies in the state.
The Chairman of NIEE Lagos, Engr Yusuf Majolagbe, said that instead of the large volume of water in Lagos to serve millions of people, the Lagoon faces increasing threats from industrial pollution.
The stance of the institution corroborates a 2021 study by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LAEPA) that industrial operations along the lagoon are responsible for more than 60% of its pollution load.
The manufacturing, oil, and chemical industries are identified as significant contributors to this environmental challenge.
The Lagos Lagoon, spanning approximately 635 square kilometers, is a vital ecological and economic asset for Nigeria’s most populous city, however it has become a dumpsite for most industries that do not have effluent treatment facility.
According to 2018 report by the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, over 75% of the industrial effluents released into the Lagos Lagoon exceed permissible limits for pollutants such as heavy metals, oil and grease, and suspended solids.
In another study, “Physicochemical characteristics of industrial effluents in Lagos State, Nigeria by Tolutope Oluwasegun Siyanbola,Ajanaku Kolawole Oluseyi,Olusola O. all from Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, except Olusola O. James from Institute of Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry concluded that, there are high industries discharge effluents with high degree of acidity, high BOD and COD values which are not in compliance with FEPA set standards in the lagoon.
The study questions the functionality of the treatment plants in these companies, adding “Should these companies continue to discharge untreated wastes into the environment there will be building up in the metal concentrations of the water bodies and this may pose serious threat to both the aquatic habitat and human beings that consume these aquatic animals.
It called for strict environmental laws to curb this stress, even though the heavy metal content profile of the effluents fell considerably within the tolerable limits stipulated by FEPA.
However, NIEE had criticized the stance of environmental agencies in Lagos, particularly LASEPA for not adequately monitoring industrial effluent control, calling on it to adopt new methods to trace pollutants to their origins and apprehend nighttime dischargers.
The engineers sought the strengthening of legislation, enforcing stringent regulations and also involving local communities through awareness campaigns and empowering citizens to participate in pollution control efforts.
Reacting, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Akodu said that the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has begun a statewide awareness and sensitisation campaign with a call on Manufacturing Industries across the state to stop the discharge of untreated effluent into the drains and water bodies.
Akodu stated that the sensitisation is aimed at addressing the pressing issues of air pollution and indiscriminate discharge of untreated effluent into the environment and water bodies, adding that there was a need for all stakeholders to take responsibility for environmental protection.
According to him, the campaign will highlight the serious health risks posed by pollutants from industrial activities, emphasising LASEPA’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental awareness and protection.
As he put it “In Lagos State, the government’s focus is not solely on revenue generation from sanctions. What is key is compliance with environmental rules and regulations. We must protect our environment; industries must treat their effluent before discharging it, that is the practice globally”, he stated
While calling for collective responsibility towards environmental sustainability, the Special Adviser urged all stakeholders to join hands with the State government in the fight against climate change and its global warming effect.
Speaking, the General Manager of LASEPA Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, stated that there is an urgent need for ongoing dialogue regarding the management of effluent in Lagos State, a region grappling with rapid industrialisation.
“We are all too familiar with the environmental challenges posed by industrial activities, the untreated effluent from these industries is not only dangerous but also endangers the well-being of our communities”, Ajayi stated.
He highlighted the importance of sensitising industries about their responsibilities in managing effluent.
According to him, every industry must have pollution abatement and effluent treatment plants. “Many industries in Lagos discharge untreated effluent directly into the drains and water bodies with disregard to its long-term effect on the environment and public health”,” he said.
The General Manager also referenced the disturbing rise of heavy metal pollution which poses severe health risks, including kidney problems and developmental issues in children, warning that the global standard regulations must be adhered to achieve a sustainable environment that is safe, secure and freef rom degradation.
