The Ogun State government has shut down three industries for violating environmental regulations, as well as two unregistered companies operating illegally along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The affected industries include Nixim Paper Limited and Long Xiang Aluminium, located in the Sagamu area, and New Shidai Manufacturing Limited in Mowe, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
The unregistered companies, operating in the Ogere axis of the expressway, were also ordered to cease operations for failing to comply with state registration requirements.
Farook Akintunde, Chairman of the Ogun State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, led the crackdown, which followed numerous complaints from local communities about the constant release of untreated wastewater by these companies.
Akintunde explained that the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) had issued a “Stop Work Order” to the companies, which was ignored.
“Despite the warnings from OGEPA, these companies continued to discharge harmful untreated wastewater into their surrounding environments, endangering public health and the ecosystem,” Akintunde said.
“The state government had no choice but to shut them down in the interest of the public.”
Further investigation revealed that the companies lacked essential Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) required to properly manage wastewater and prevent environmental damage.
Without these systems in place, the untreated wastewater posed a huge threat to the local communities.
Oluwadare Kehinde, Special Advisor to the Governor on Environmental Protection, stressed that industries must adhere to the state’s stringent wastewater regulations to prevent pollution.
He maintained that OGEPA would continue enforcing environmental standards as outlined in the Ogun State Green Book, which governs environmental practices in the state.
In addition to shutting down the industries, the two unregistered companies were also ordered to halt operations until they complete the necessary registration and fulfil other operational requirements to legally operate in Ogun State.
“The state government will not tolerate any violation of environmental laws. Industries must meet the required standards to protect the environment and the people of Ogun State,” Kehinde warned.
