The Ogun State government has cracked down on environmental offenders, shutting down three industries for violating environmental regulations and two unregistered companies for operating illegally.
The affected companies are Nixim Paper Limited, Long Xiang Aluminum, and New Shidai Manufacturing Limited, all located in the Sagamu and Mowe areas of the state.
According to Farook Akintunde, Chairman of the Ogun State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, the companies were shut down after repeated warnings and complaints from surrounding communities about their release of untreated wastewater into the environment.
The companies had been issued a ‘Stop Work Order’ by the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), which they ignored, prompting the state government to take drastic action. Akintunde noted that the companies lacked Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP), which are essential for preventing water pollution.
He said, “This was confirmed by OGEPA which issued a Stop Work Order for them to stop production and correct the anomaly. But instead, 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 options 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 and installed to stop their incessant and harmful wastewater discharge”.
Oluwadare Kehinde, Special Adviser to the Governor on OGEPA, emphasized that the agency would not compromise on environmental standards, warning that industries must comply with state regulations to prevent water pollution and maintain water quality standards.
The two unregistered companies, located in the Ogere axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, have been ordered to register with the state government and fulfill operational obligations before resuming operations.
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