Lagos State Government has achieved a big feat in setting the pace for good governance with the establishment of the first International Standard Organisation (ISO) certified government-owned laboratory in Nigeria. The laboratory was facilitated by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and situated in its premises, Alausa Ikeja. While speaking during the official commissioning of the laboratory, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the upgraded and re-equipped laboratory will further improve the quality of life for residents.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, stated that State Government had recorded another first in its environmental protection drive as the upgrading of the LASEPA Laboratory became necessary as a result of the growing population of the state. He added that the ultra-modern lab was needed to enhance the capacity of the agency to deliver effectively on its primary assignment of monitoring the environment for safety and sustainability.
The governor urges the laboratory management to make a good impact.
According to him, re-equipping the laboratory has earned it the accreditation of the International Organisation of Standardization for Quality Management System (ISO/IEC 9001) and Laboratory Management System (ISO/IEC 17025). This now makes LASEPA officially the first Government-owned environmental laboratory to receive this accreditation. He continues by saying that this accreditation has given Lagos state global recognition and acceptance, given that results generated from this laboratory are consistent and accurate through industry-standard protocols and align with best practices globally.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu, however, urged the management and staff of LASEPA, particularly those that would be charged with the responsibility of operating the laboratory, to carry out their tasks with utmost professional care and a high sense of responsibility. He, therefore, tasked the management to make the best possible impact and yield a better result, saying that the administration will relentlessly strive to invest in projects that are consistent with the state’s goal of ensuring a healthy, safe and sustainable environment.
ISO-certified lab initiative aligns with the administration’s goal.
Furtherly, he avers that his administration looks forward to a purpose-driven partnership with local and international bodies, academic institutions, researchers and non-governmental organizations as it strives for a more resilient and environmentally sustainable state. Chairman of House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Rotimi Abiru, said it is compelling for government to be deliberate about focusing more on the environmental situation considering the mass population of people residing in the state, various industries and the rate at which human activities are carried out in all parts of the state.
According to General Manager LASEPA, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, the initiative of the ISO-certified laboratory resonates with the present administration’s THEMES agenda, which prioritizes Health and Environment. She described the ISO-certified laboratory as a boost for the agency’s mandate in monitoring the activities of industrial, commercial and government entities in the state to ensure compliance with the state environmental management laws while achieving sustainable development. Dr. Fasawe revealed that she identified the need for an upgrade and standardization of the agency’s laboratory processes following her deployment to the agency as the General Manager and upon realizing that the LASEPA mandate borders effective laboratory services.
The lab is equipped with necessary equipment in line with ISO standards.
Dr. Fasawe further explained that the laboratory complex was constructed as a pollution control laboratory 32 years ago, under the administration of Rtd Brigadier General and ex-military-governor Raji Rasaki. However, she said, it metamorphosed into a full-fledged Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laboratory with a strategic footprint, sectioned into seven different laboratory services, during the ex-governor Bola Tinubu regime. Dr. Fasawe, who disclosed that the laboratory is now equipped with State-of-the-art environmental laboratory equipment and engineering processes according to ISO standards and best practices, praised the contribution of the governor and other key members who participated in the project.
Related Link
ISO: Website
