The Ogun State government has shut down five industries for breaching environmental laws and endangering the health of surrounding communities by discharging untreated wastewater.
The shutdown was enforced by the state’s Environmental Protection Agency following multiple petitions from local residents regarding the harmful practices of these companies.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday, the Chairman of the Ogun State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, Farook Akintunde, who also serves as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Environment, disclosed that the companies affected include Nixim Paper Limited and Long Xiang Aluminum, both located along the Sagamu axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Additionally, New Shidai Manufacturing Limited in Mowe, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, and two unregistered companies operating illegally in the Ogere axis were also sealed.
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Akintunde explained that these companies had been previously ordered to stop their operations by the state Environmental Protection Agency due to their failure to treat wastewater before discharging it into nearby communities. Despite receiving a “Stop Work” order, they continued their operations, prompting the state to take more drastic measures to protect the public. Their refusal to comply with orders left the government with no choice but to shut them down in the interest of public safety.
Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde, Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environmental Protection Agency, emphasized the state’s commitment to enforcing wastewater regulations to prevent water pollution and protect water quality standards. He stressed that all companies must adhere to environmental best practices as outlined in the Ogun State Green Book, which governs the state’s environmental policies.
Kehinde also warned that the two unregistered companies must complete their registration with the state and meet all operational requirements before they can be allowed to resume operations. He reiterated that the government would not compromise on environmental standards and would continue to hold industries accountable for their environmental practices.
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