Edo State is set to become a hub for environmental testing in the South-South following plans by the Federal Government to establish a state-of-the-art environmental laboratory in Benin City.
The Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Mr Nosa Adams, disclosed this on Wednesday during the bi-weekly ministerial press briefing organized by the State Ministry of Information and Strategy in Benin.
Adams said the project is being driven by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the World Bank, as part of a national initiative to strengthen environmental governance through science-based monitoring.
According to him, three such laboratories will be built across the country, with the Benin facility designated to serve four states – Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Ondo. The other two facilities will be located in Gombe State for the North and Enugu State for the South-East.
He noted that the Minister of Environment is expected in Benin within the next one month to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the laboratory.
The commissioner explained that the laboratory will eliminate the need for residents, researchers and companies from neighbouring states to travel long distances for environmental tests, as samples can now be analysed within the region.
“This facility will significantly improve our capacity for pollution detection, laboratory analysis and enforcement. Someone coming from Ondo, Delta or Bayelsa will no longer need to go far to conduct environmental laboratory tests – everything will be done right here in Benin,” he stated.
Adams added that the laboratory would boost compliance monitoring, provide credible data for regulatory decisions and enhance overall environmental protection in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking on the state’s own reforms, the commissioner said the government has introduced approved discharge standards for industries to control the volume of pollutants released into the environment, particularly into water bodies.
He revealed that in recent months, the ministry has audited 230 industrial and commercial facilities across the state, issued 93 abatement and violation notices, and secured the prosecution of 30 repeat offenders.
He attributed the improved enforcement to the new Edo State Environment, Sanitation and Pollution Management Law, which was signed into law on October 25, 2025.
According to him, the legislation has empowered both the Ministry of Environment and the Edo State Waste Management Board to enforce sanctions more effectively.
“The new law has given us the teeth to bite. We now have a mobile court that sits at the Ministry every week to try habitual offenders, even as we continue to emphasize public education and advocacy,” Adams said.
The commissioner further disclosed that the ministry has tightened surveillance on mining operations and industrial emissions, compelling companies to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
He cited the case of the Coca-Cola plant in the state, where the company was made to invest about N1.8 billion in the construction of a modern effluent treatment facility to ensure wastewater is properly treated before release.
“Experts from the University of Benin were engaged to supervise the installation and monitor the discharge quality to ensure that what is finally released is safe water without any chemical content,” he added.