Ogun State Government has urged industries operating across the state to strengthen compliance with environmental regulations, enhance their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and adopt sustainable environmental practices.
The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, disclosed this during a familiarization tour of industries across OGEPA’s three operational zones—Ogun Central, Ogun West and Ogun East.

The tour, according to him, was aimed at assessing the level of environmental compliance by industries while strengthening collaboration between the Agency and the private sector in protecting the environment.
Addressing the management of the companies visited, Bello emphasised the need for periodic environmental training programmes for staff to improve their knowledge and capacity in environmental management.

He noted that continuous training would encourage the adoption of global best practices and enhance compliance with environmental standards.
The GM also called on industries to partner with the Ogun State Government on tree-planting initiatives as part of efforts to combat global warming, mitigate the effects of climate change and promote environmental sustainability across the state.

He further directed companies to ensure strict compliance with regulations governing the management of hazardous waste and spent oil by maintaining proper documentation and engaging only approved waste handlers in line with the Agency’s guidelines.
Bello stressed the importance of installing and maintaining functional Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to prevent the discharge of untreated wastewater into the environment.

He also urged industries to strengthen their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes by implementing projects that positively impact their host communities while advancing environmental sustainability.
He advised companies to improve chemical management practices within their facilities and obtain the required 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 during the tour, OGEPA’s Director of Inspectorate and Compliance, Mr. Babatunde Bolarinwa, outlined the statutory environmental permits required for industrial operations which includes the 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 familiarization exercise, describing it as a demonstration of the strong partnership between the Agency and industries in promoting environmental compliance and sustainable development in the state tate.
Companies visited during the tour included Prorich Products Nigeria Limited, International Breweries Plc, Rite Foods Limited, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Nestlé Nigeria Plc and Unilever Nigeria Plc, among others.