Ogun partners stakeholders against chemical pollution
Ogun State government is synergising with industrial stakeholders, especially chemical handlers and users, to ensure adherence to environmental safety guidelines in the state.
Governor Dapo Abiodun revealed this yesterday at the maiden workshop for chemical handlers and users of industrial and commercial facilities in the state organised by the State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) in Abeokuta.
He said the step would help to attain the global Agenda 2030 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 6.
Represented by Secretary to State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Abiodun said the state, as the industrial hub of the nation, is susceptible to environmental hazards, thus, “the government is taking steps to stem the tide by re-igniting the responsiveness of industrial and commercial chemical outfits for a sustainable control and management of chemical storage and usage.”
He noted that chemicals were the most critical agent of Nigeria’s industrial revolution due to its importance to the industrial sector, hence, the need for every user and handler to imbibe necessary knowledge on its proper management, calling on stakeholders to contribute their quota in enhancing a livable, safe and healthy environment for the people of the state.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya advocated for effective handling, control and management of hazardous
chemicals to avoid environmental degradation, saying it is only in good environment that the industries would flourish and make the state livable for all.
Oresanya added that the state government is desirous of environment free of any degradation through proper handling of chemicals by its users.
In the lead paper titled: “Chemical Identification, Classification and Labeling-Preventive Methods and Control of Chemical Hazards,” a former University of Lagos Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babajide Alo, said it was important for manufacturers to substitute chemicals with less hazardous ones, modify the usage and dispose of them professionally in line with the state’s regulated laws guiding waste management.
On her part, General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, who spoke on “Best Practices for Sustainable Environmental Management – A Case Study of Lagos State, advised that each state should enact laws to control industrial pollution and wastes in its domain with appropriate deterrent as current punishments in the books for offending industries are not deterrent enough so as to have a better environmental management.
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