Sanwo-Olu
The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) has raised an alarm over the rising trend of unauthorised borehole drilling and indiscriminate groundwater abstraction across the state, warning that violators will face immediate prosecution and facility closure.
In an official statement released by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Barr. Oluwabukola Adeyemo, LASWARCO strongly condemned the practice of extracting groundwater without securing valid statutory approvals and permits.
Adeyemo emphasised that LASWARCO is empowered under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017 to oversee and regulate all borehole drilling, water abstraction, and water supply services throughout Lagos State.
Highlighting the dangers of unregulated water extraction, the Executive Secretary warned that illegal drilling poses severe public health hazards, causes groundwater contamination, accelerates land subsidence, and jeopardizes the state’s long-term water security.
“Every unregulated borehole endangers our collective future and compromises the sustainability of our environment,” Adeyemo said. “All intending drillers and abstractors must obtain the necessary permits from LASWARCO.”
She stressed that the Commission will actively seal non-compliant facilities and prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law.
LASWARCO urged residents, community leaders, and local stakeholders to collaborate with the government’s enforcement efforts by reporting illegal drilling operations in their neighborhoods.
Reports can be made directly via the LASWARCO Hotline at 0816 878 2223 or in person at Block 19, 3rd Floor, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
