Iyunade Grace
The Lagos State Government has warned property owners, residents and borehole operators against drilling boreholes or extracting groundwater without the required permits, threatening to seal affected facilities and prosecute offenders.
The warning was issued by the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Barrister Oluwabukola Khadijah Adeyemo.
The commission said it had observed the increasing practice of unauthorised and indiscriminate borehole drilling across the state, describing the activities as a threat to public health and environmental sustainability.
Adeyemo explained that LASWARCO is empowered under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, to regulate borehole drilling, groundwater extraction and water supply services.
She warned that extracting groundwater without the commission’s authorisation could lead to underground water contamination, land subsidence and long-term threats to the availability of safe water for millions of Lagos residents.
“Drilling or abstracting groundwater without LASWARCO authorisation is illegal and punishable under the Law. Every unregulated borehole endangers our collective future and compromises the sustainability of our environment. All intending drillers and abstractors must obtain the necessary permits from LASWARCO,” she said.
The executive secretary added that the commission would not hesitate to seal any facility found operating in violation of the regulations and prosecute those responsible.
LASWARCO also called on residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to support its enforcement efforts by reporting suspected cases of illegal borehole drilling and unauthorised groundwater extraction in their neighbourhoods.
Residents can report such activities through the commission’s hotline on 0816 878 2223 or visit its office at Block 19, third floor, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
The government said the enforcement measure is aimed at strengthening the regulation of groundwater resources and protecting the state’s water supply from the environmental and public health risks associated with uncontrolled extraction.
