Lagos’ new environmental law

By signing into law the Environmental Management and Protection Bill, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has shown that he desires a cleaner Lagos.  Going by the new law, no person or group of persons shall dump any toxic waste capable of causing harm in the state and all emissions from vehicles, plants and equipment including generating plants in residential, commercial and industrial areas within the state must mandatorily meet air emission standard.

Similarly, the new law will ensure that no manufacturing of chemicals, lubricants, petroleum products, gases, quarry, cement (except for those used in construction), takes place in a residential premise. The law states that any manufacturer of such items will procure an insurance policy from an approved insurance company.

The Lagos State government said defaulters of the law will face stiff penalties from the government which ranges from N250,000 to N5,000,000 and/or imprisonment. The law also criminalises street trading along the major highways in the state. However, I urge Governor Ambode and his team to consider providing alternatives to street traders who will be affected by the law.

Stanley Joseph

Lagos.