The Lagos State Government has sealed an Access Bank branch in Victoria Island over alleged environmental violations and an attack on its enforcement officers.

This was disclosed in a Wednesday statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, following an inspection of the bank’s facility in Oniru.

According to Wahab, the action was triggered by a whistleblower complaint, which prompted officials of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to investigate the premises.

“Following a whistleblower complaint, I directed the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office team to visit the Access Bank Plc building at Oniru, Victoria Island,” the statement read.

He said the inspection revealed that the facility’s wastewater treatment system was not functioning, leading to environmental pollution.

“It was discovered that the wastewater treatment plant at the facility was non-functional, resulting in the discharge of untreated faecal matter into the public drainage system and causing severe damage to the environment,” he stated.

The commissioner further alleged that enforcement officers were resisted during the operation.

“During the enforcement visit, officials of LSWMO were denied access to seal the facility. Security personnel and management representatives of the bank resisted our officers and, in the process, attacked members of the enforcement team,” he added.

Wahab said samples taken from the site confirmed the environmental breach.

“The LSWMO team has taken samples of the effluent being discharged from the premises for laboratory analysis and the result of the test came back positive,” he said.

He added that the state would pursue legal action against those involved in the incident.

“The State will also proceed to court to obtain the necessary orders for the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in the attack on government officials carrying out their lawful duties,” the statement noted.

The commissioner stressed that the government would strictly enforce environmental regulations across the state.

“There will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of environmental regulations. Any individual or organisation found violating environmental laws, regardless of status, will be held accountable,” he added. (The PUNCH, but headline amended)

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