Lagos seals Hq of Lord’s Chosen Church on october 08, 2013 at 6:09 pm in news By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Lagos State Government Tuesday, sealed the Headquarters
Church of the Lords Chosen Church, along the Apapa – Oshodi
Expressway over alleged gross environmental abuse and
erection of structures along Odo Asimawu Drainage Channel. While monitoring the state of Lagos environment, the
Commissioner for the Environment noticed massive trading
under the Ijesha flyover bridge along the Apapa Oshodi
Expressway and large scale environmental degradation
arising from the activities of the traders. Further inspection round the premises revealed that the
church does not dispose the solid waste generated properly,
while as a matter of fact, it openly burns waste generated
inside the church premises, thereby exposing the lives of its
worshipers to serious health hazard. A further investigation also revealed that a substantial part
of the 1 kilometer church Auditorium was built on the Odo
Asimawu drainage channel thereby impeding the flow of
storm water, as well as inhibiting effective performance of
the channel. It was also discovered that the Church built all its toilets on
the canal and deliberately discharges the raw human waste
into the canal. Bello, explained that in order to prevent an outbreak of
epidemic, as well as protect the lives of its worshippers, the
state government was left with no other option but to seal
the church Auditorium.
He therefore, directed that, for the church to be reopened it
must abate all the nuisances noticed as well as remove all the encumbrances along the drainage channel. Other conditions stated for re opening include: Completion
of sanitization of the entire church environment, putting in
place a proper solid waste disposal facility, stop further
refuse burning, removal of all structures on drainage
channel, building of a new toilet facilities, and ensuring
proper disposal as well as evacuation of solid/human waste dumped inside the canal among others. While commending the cooperation and non resistance of
the Church authorities, the commissioner observed their
willingness to comply, but stated that the state government
would only unseal the auditorium as until all the
environmental nuisances were abated. Bello, assured that that government would continue to
promote a cleaner, habitable and conducive environment to
residents irrespective of their ethnic or religious affiliation in
other to attain a cleaner and sustainable environment in the
state. The commissioner further restated the commitment of the
administration to its environmental regeneration and
renewal programmes geared towards attaining a cleaner
and habitable environment that would be the pride of all
citizens.

Very good!
Having read through this report/post i am happy Mr. Bello took action to seal the place. I am also impressed that the church authorities conducted themselves well through the visit of the Commissioner and also agreed to the instruction that proper environmental codes of adherence be observed and amenities provided.
However, i think same checks should be done on other places of worship and if found wanting similar punishment should be meted on defaulters.

NB:
Ogun State government please take note.