LASEPA HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT WITH HOSPITALITY SERVICES SECTOR

As part of measures to sanitize the State and eradicate preventable environmental nuisances, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) on Tuesday gave a three-month ultimatum to hospitality service providers to comply with all rules and regulations governing the establishment of their trade or face the full wrath of the law.

The General Manager of the Agency, Engr. Adebola Shabi gave the ultimatum at a one-day stakeholders’ summit for clubs, bars, lounges, hotels and event centers in the State.

He said the summit themed, “Regulating Hospitality and Allied Services Sector In A Mega City (Role of Service Providers On The Environment)”, was to reaffirm the commitment of government to bequeathing to the good people of Lagos a regulated, sustained environment for tourism and business with bias for safety, security and well-being of all residents.

He lamented the filthy and unhealthy environment associated with hotels, bars and all other related places and further noted that exposure of people to food waste could cause an epidemic and environmental hazards.

Shabi decried the lack of respect for host communities of these social centres who are fond of blaring music through their sound address systems and indulge in indiscriminate parking of cars, adding that the generators of most establishments are major cause of environmental and air pollution.

In his words, “In realization of the Mega City status of the State, business and people oriented laws were promulgated to protect the rights and limits of operators as well as innocent citizens and these laws must be adhered to at all times upon which disobedience will attract sanction”.

While assuring the stakeholders of government support in the development of their businesses, the General Manager urged them to pay all outstanding Environmental Development Levies (EDL) as well as imbibe safety practices devoid of occupational and environment hazards.

In his remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for The Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare expressed the readiness of the government to partner with operators by promoting sustainable tourism policies poised to compete favourably with other Mega-Cities around the globe.

He, therefore, solicited for their support towards the achievement of the safety thrust of this administration by working within the ambit of the law.