Ogun shuts company over environmental infractions

The Ogun State Government has shut down a company in Sango-Ota for non-compliance with the stipulated action plan guiding companies under its supervision. The Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Environment and the Chairman of the Special Task Force Committee on Environment, Hon. Farouk Akintunde, during an inspection of a company, Solar Energy […]

The Ogun State Government has shut down a company in Sango-Ota for non-compliance with the stipulated action plan guiding companies under its supervision.

The Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Environment and the Chairman of the Special Task Force Committee on Environment, Hon. Farouk Akintunde, during an inspection of a company, Solar Energy Ventures Industry Enterprise, said the company was working at variance with the laid-down rules and regulations governing establishments or companies in the state.

Akintunde further explained that the department of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) was saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and inspecting all companies to ensure they complied with the laws guiding them.

According to him, “Ogun State government is friendly to all industries and companies in the state, but at the same time, it will not condone the activities of companies that negate the existing rules and regulations guiding their operations.

“The company, on two occasions, was found not complying with the rules, in line with the modus operandi of the ministry. When the company was visited, many regulations were violated; they were given an action plan but the company refused to abide by it. 

“At a time, officials were denied entry into the company for inspection, coupled with various petitions received from affected and concerned residents on pollution, which stipulates violation of section 22 and section 39 of the extant regulations,” he said.

The SSA expressed the government‘s dissatisfaction with the company’s nonchalant attitude towards its workers’ health due to dust emissions during production, stating that a stop work and an invitation notice had earlier been served, which it refused to honour.

 He warned that the present administration would not allow companies to put the lives of others at risk, pointing out that it had provided infrastructure and an enabling environment for industries to come on board, which should be reciprocated by conforming to laws of establishment.