The Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) has urged industries operating across the state to comply with environmental regulations, strengthen corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and adopt sustainable environmental practices to safeguard the environment.

The General Manager of OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, made this call during a familiarisation tour of industries across the agency’s three operational zones covering Ogun Central, Ogun West and Ogun East.

The visit, according to the agency, was aimed at assessing the level of environmental compliance by industries and deepening collaboration between OGEPA and the private sector in environmental protection.

Addressing the management of the companies visited, Bello stressed the need for periodic environmental training for workers to improve their knowledge and capacity in environmental management.

He said regular training would encourage the adoption of global best practices and ensure greater compliance with environmental standards.

The OGEPA boss also urged industries to partner with the Ogun State Government on tree-planting initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce global warming and promote environmental sustainability across the state.

He further directed companies to ensure strict compliance with regulations guiding the handling of hazardous waste and spent oil by maintaining proper documentation and engaging only government-approved waste handlers.

Bello also charged industries to install and maintain functional Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to prevent the discharge of untreated wastewater into the environment.

He called on companies to strengthen their CSR programmes by implementing projects that would positively impact their host communities while promoting environmental sustainability .

The general manager also advised industries to improve chemical management practices within their facilities and obtain the necessary chemical permits from the agency.

“You should improve your chemical management practices and ensure that the required chemical permit is obtained from OGEPA,” Bello said.

Also speaking, OGEPA’s Director of Inspectorate and Compliance, Mr. Babatunde Bolarinwa outlined the statutory environmental permits required for industrial operations, including Chemical Storage Permit, Effluent Discharge Permit, Environmental Audit Approval and Environmental Monitoring Programme, among others.

Responding on behalf of the companies visited, the Associate Director of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mrs. Mark Tijani, Commended OGEPA for the familiarisation exercise, describes it as a reflection of the collaborative relationship between the agency and industries in promoting environmental compliance and sustainable development in Ogun State.

Industries visited during the tour included Prorich Products Nigeria Limited, International Breweries Plc, Rite Foods Limited and other manufacturing firms across the state’s three operational zones.