Landlords need no permit to sink boreholes in residential houses– Lagos Govt

 

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The Lagos State government has admonished all Lagosians wishing to know the details of the new environmental law to visit http://laws.lagosstate.gov.ng, adding that the Law has been uploaded online in order to make it accessible to all citizens.

In a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, the State Government said the new environmental law has consolidated all laws relating to the environment for the management, protection and sustainable development in Lagos State and for connected purposes.

 

The State Government also assured Lagosians that the new Environmental Protection and Management Law initiated by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration was done in the overall interest of all Lagosians to ensure cleaner environment and public health safety in the State.

 

He explained that the Law was in tandem with the reforms in the Environment Sector, aimed at charting a new direction in recognition of the fact that water, sanitation and hygiene are non-negotiable requisites in a mega city like Lagos.

 

According to the Commissioner, the rapid growth of Lagos, its dream of 24-hour economy and government financial limitations have made it pertinent to make investor-friendly Laws that will attract the desired investment into the Sector.

 

“With the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, the government reassures all and sundry of its determination to clean the environment in our state and we are already taking the necessary steps in that direction,” he said.

 

While stressing that the Government will not be frustrated in its determination to achieve a cleaner Lagos by seeming vested interests working against the reforms, Ayorinde gave assurance that all issues pertaining to the Cleaner Lagos Initiative are being addressed, especially in the crucial area of waste management.

 

“The government is aware of the complaints by well-meaning citizens over delays being experience in the area of waste collection. The Ministry of the Environment, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and our ‘sanitation gangs’ are on top of the situation and will not give in to the sabotage by those who are opposed to the reforms”, Ayorinde stated.

 

He also clarified that there was no such thing in the law that seeks to criminalise individuals sinking boreholes, stating that only boreholes dug for commercial purposes require license or payment and this is not a new practice as it has been in existence since.