LAGOS SEALS MARINA WORKERS’ MOSQUE OVER SEWAGE DISPOSAL

October 31, 2015 – The Lagos State Government today shut down the popular Marina Workers Mosque in outer Marina over improper disposal of sewage.

The mosque was sealed when officials of the Lagos State Government paid an unscheduled visit to the area during the monthly environmental sanitation and found that a pipe has been connected from the toilet system that directly emptied human faeces into nearby drainage.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr Samuel Adejare who issued the order said the state government has declared state of emergency on environmental nuisance across the state.

Adejare warned market leaders, drivers and residents against improper waste disposal, explaining that the Workers’ Mosque was sealed-off for discharging sewage into the drainage channel.

The visibly enraged commissioner said government has established a Special Command in Kick Against Indiscipline, (KAI)for a cleaner Lagos environment.

He said the declaration of zero tolerance in Lagos metropolis was to save the state from disaster resulting from unkempt environment, adding that all hands must be on the deck to maintain and sustain healthier environment for the residents.

“This is why we ordered the closure of the mosque for discharging sewage in the drainage. Marina is our pride, asset, our heritage, we cannot allow anyone to mess it up. This mosque is a temporary building for worship, but we cannot tolerate improper waste disposal. There is no emotional thing attached to it. I have told them to close down the place. Your saw the sewage, you saw where they passed pipe openly like that. We will not allow it. Even God will not allow it.”

Adejare said the new Lagos under the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would not watch Lagos environment turned into dump sites, saying the government would only cooperate with drivers unions who are ready to take ownership of parks through proper management of their environment.

“We will send them away if they are not ready to take ownership of the environment by ensuring that they are clean and well taken care of, but if they are not serious about it, we will dislodge them and restore sanity in the areas.

“We are here to make change and take the state to the next level. On Ilaje Otumora slum, in Lagos Mainland Local Government, we are going to sit down and find solution to it. In fact one of our drainage systems that we channelled into the lagoon has been blocked. So, we are going to stop that from happening,” he said.