The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has reopened six iron and steel manufacturing companies in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, after confirming they had addressed environmental violations that led to their closure.
LASEPA’s General Manager, Dr Tunde Ajayi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, explaining that the decision followed a comprehensive compliance assessment.
The affected companies are African Steel Mills Ltd., Pulkit Alloy and Steel Ltd., LandCraft Industries Ltd., Sunflag Steel Nigeria Ltd., Gemini Steel Nigeria Ltd. and Top Steel Nigeria Ltd.
The firms were shut down on July 27 after enforcement officials uncovered serious environmental breaches during an operation in the Ikorodu industrial corridor.
Ajayi said follow-up inspections confirmed that the companies had implemented corrective measures, paving the way for the resumption of operations.
He recalled that the enforcement action was prompted by the emission of brown and black dust, mill scale, shredded dust, dead dust and other particulate pollutants that posed significant risks to air quality, public health and the environment.
Before lifting the closure order, LASEPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with each of the companies, committing them to full compliance with environmental laws, regulations and operational guidelines.
Under the agreement, the firms also pledged to implement all corrective measures outlined by the agency to ensure environmentally responsible operations.
Ajayi explained that the enforcement exercise followed alerts from LASEPA’s real-time air quality monitoring network, which detected unusually high pollution levels within the Odogunyan Industrial Corridor.
He noted that the agency’s monitoring devices, installed across Lagos, provide publicly accessible air quality data, enabling officials to respond quickly whenever pollution levels exceed acceptable limits.
The general manager stressed that the companies must install and maintain effective filtration systems on their furnaces while ensuring proper handling and disposal of industrial waste in line with approved environmental standards.
He added that LASEPA has stationed a technical team permanently within the industrial corridor to provide guidance and monitor compliance.
Ajayi warned that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can lead to respiratory illnesses and other health complications but noted that the agency’s intervention had already reduced emissions significantly.
He reaffirmed LASEPA’s commitment to continuous monitoring, stating that enforcement teams would remain on ground daily to ensure industrial activities do not endanger surrounding communities.
Also speaking, the newly appointed Zonal Head of Ikorodu I, Mr Taiwo Olumuyiwa, urged the companies to strengthen their environmental management systems by adopting international best practices, cleaner production methods, improved waste management and lower emissions to promote a healthier and more sustainable Lagos.