The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) has sealed the premises of three major companies—Nigerian Bottling Company (producers of Coca-Cola), FrieslandCampina (makers of Peak Milk), and Guinness Nigeria Plc—for unauthorized extraction of groundwater.
According to Olowu Babatunde, Director of Technical Services at LASWARCO, these companies have been extracting large quantities of groundwater for commercial purposes without proper authorization or compliance with regulations. He noted that despite over seven years of engagement to encourage adherence to water extraction laws, the companies either partially complied or failed to comply altogether.
The enforcement action follows a recent press briefing by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, who highlighted the environmental risks associated with unregulated groundwater extraction, including land subsidence and contamination. He emphasized that the Environmental Management Protection Law of 2017 empowers LASWARCO to regulate such activities and impose penalties for violations.
In 2020, the Lagos State government offered a 75% waiver on groundwater abstraction fees to encourage compliance, but uptake was reportedly low. The recent sealing of these companies’ facilities underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing water resource regulations to protect the environment and ensure sustainable water usage.
LASWARCO has reiterated its dedication to regulating heavy abstractors in Lagos State and has urged all entities involved in large-scale groundwater extraction to comply with existing laws to avoid sanctions. The commission continues to monitor and enforce regulations to safeguard the state’s water resources.
