- Arrest four persons for trying to burn evidence at the sealed premises
After a follow-up inspection of sealed scrap yard in Ikorodu, officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) have uncovered more toxic materials on the premises of the sealed yard.
The scrap yard, which was uncovered penultimate week by LASEPA in a residential neighbourhood was alleged to have operated and stored hazardous substances including chemical used medical consumables, electronic and electrical equipment waste recycling plant without relevant state permits or environmental controls.
According to LASEPA’s Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Mrs Bola Ajao, a follow-up inspection was carried out at the facility on Friday and more toxic substances discovered.
Ajao said four persons were also arrested for allegedly tampering with evidence.
“The joint team, promptly halted all activities on the site by placing a LASEPA stop work order, and arrested four persons allegedly involved in the activity, two of whom were security men of the yard.
Ajao said the men were arrested for “attempting to destroy previously established evidence by gaining access to the sealed site illegally (over the fence) and attempting to destroy evidence by arson via burning.
“The facility Manager, F.C Afara, and Alh. Kolawole Hamzat, the alleged owner of the expired drugs (paracetamol, ginseng multivitamin cleansers), are presently in NAFDAC’s custody for further questioning, Ajao further said.
“The joint operation which had Mrs. Adedayo Adedayo, Director E- waste, (LASEPA) and Mr. Ado Kabiri, Principal Regulatory Officer, NAFDAC as team heads respectively, also discovered two scrap yards and three 40 feet containers, with two containing used medical consumables, while the other contained metal and E-waste materials.
“Discoveries were rife, as the government officials combed the facility and found large quantities of artificial sweeteners and flavors, bio-hazardous waste including used needles, syringes, nose masks, disposable hand gloves and apparels amidst the squalor,” said Ajao in a statement on Monday.
Commending the Investigative team for being professional in handling the exercise, the General Manager LASEPA, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said it was a purposeful collaboration between sister agencies.
She said: “The two agencies involved are both saddled with the responsibilities of safeguarding public health and promoting quality of life in a sustainable environment. “These activities affect all of us, we all breathe the same air, drink the same water, and eat food from the same soil. If these activities go on unchecked the state would be in a huge environmental and food safety crisis,” she said.
The LASEPA chief said it was disheartening that the security men scaled the fence of a property already sealed by the government and set fire to the evidence, unmindful or unaware of the consequences of their action and its impact on the environment and safety of the neighbourhood.
“Any such operation reduces the state’s mortality toll of 11,200 annually attributable to poor air and environmental quality,” said Fasawe.
She urged communities to help by reporting activities they feel are not environmentally friendly.
“The aim of this exercise is not to witch-hunt or hamper any business activity,” she said, urging residents to consider the people, planet, and profit collectively and as a mutually inclusive requirement, prior to commencing any business or service.
Fasawe frowned at the presence of industries and worship centres in residential neighbourhood, using houses one to eight on Salvation Avenue at Idera, Owode-Onirin as example.
She noted that the mentioned space currently houses church, office blocks, workshops, scrap yards and unapproved container depot.
