Ogun Shuts Down Two Chinese companies for environment Infractions

Ogun State Waste Management Authority,{OGWAMA} has shut down two Chinese companies for environmental infractions.

The companies are Yibao Industrial Limited, Bara Village along the Sagamu – Abeokuta Expressway, and Ronchang Industrial Park, opposite Julius Berger yard Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Ewu- Osile for operating in dirty environment and improper waste disposal by refusing to engage accredited waste collectors.

Special Adviser and Managing Director of Ogun State Waste Management Authority [OGWAMA] Mr. Abayomi Hunye disclosed that the agency was left with no option but to shut down the two Chinese companies after several warnings on the need to clean their environment failed and littering their premises with wastes which contravene Section 17 of the Ogun State Waste Management Law 2020.

The two companies were also found guilty of engaging the services of unaccredited waste collectors to evacuate their waste in contravention of section 17 of Ogun State Waste Management Authority Law of 2020 as well as their continued prevention of the assigned waste collectors to evacuate their waste from their facilities since 2021. Their unaccredited waste collectors who operate at odd hours were also found guilty of dumping waste on the Sagamu – Abeokuta and Lagos–Ibadan Expressways illegally.

“The essence of shutting them down is to ensure that they comply with the standard ways of managing wastes in the state. We have served them several notices and warnings and they refused to comply. We have even gone to their premises for inspections severally to counsel them to clean their environment and engage government-approved waste collectors but they were unyielding”

“They both engage unaccredited waste collectors who have no capacities to manage their waste that is why their premises are dirty thereby exposing residents of the state to unnecessary odour and possible underground water infections from their untreated waste”

“So we have no alternative than to shut them down in the overriding public interest as their behavior and action smacks of gross disrespect to constituted authority especially from companies owned by foreigners who are hellbent destroying our environment.

“We will fold our hands and watch these companies destroy our common patrimony with their I don’t care attitude which they will not try in their home country.”

Hunye called on companies operating within the state who are also guilty of the same offence to operate within the state’s waste management laws or be ready to be sanctioned.

“Proper waste management is key in the state to continually promote healthier and safer living of our people. We will not compromise on this, All companies must therefore partner with us for proper management of their waste so that we can all be free from diseases emanating from improperly managed domestic or industrial waste” he added.

He further urged Communities Development Association CDA’s and other Non- Governmental Organizations to complement OGWAMA’s efforts by acting as whistle-blowers so that more companies who are in the habit of improper waste management can be brought to justice to enhance the quality of life of residents of the state.