From Our Correspondent
Ogun State government has shut down three companies for environmental infractions.
The state government also sealed two unregistered companies for operating illegally in Ogere axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The affected companies are Nixim Paper Limited and Long Xiang Aluminum, both at Sagamu axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and New Shidai Manufacturing Limited, Mowe in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
Chairman of Ogun State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, Farook Akintunde, who led the enforcement team, said the firms were shut down after the Environmental Protection Agency received complaints from surrounding communities about the constant release of untreated wastewater into the environment.
Akintunde, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, noted that the companies had been issued a Stop Work Order which was ignored.
“This was confirmed by Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, OGEPA, which issued a Stop Work Order for them to stop production and correct the anomaly. Instead of obeying the order, they ignored it and continued to degrade the environment with the discharge of their harmful untreated wastewater into their immediate communities.
“The state government was therefore left with no option than to shut them down in the overriding public interest and compelled them to stop their harmful environmental practice as it was also discovered that they don’t have Effluent Treatment Plants, ETP, which they must have to stop their incessant and harmful wastewater discharge.”
Special Adviser to the Governor on OGEPA, Oluwadare Kehinde stated that following multiple warnings, the company will now be required to comply with the state’s wastewater regulations, which are essential for preventing water pollution and maintaining water quality standards.
“OGEPA will not compromise on this as it will continue to demand from industries, environmental standards in all they do as enunciated in the Ogun State Green Book which contains the laws guiding environmental practices in the state,” he said.
He stated that the two unregistered companies must do proper registration with the state government and fulfil other operational obligations before they can be allowed to operate.
