The Ogun State Waste Management Authority has shut down two Chinese companies for allegedly violating the state’s environmental laws.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Authority explained that this action was taken after multiple warnings to the companies were ignored. The government also noted that the companies failed to engage accredited waste collectors for proper waste management.
The affected companies are Yibao Industrial Limited, located in Bara Village along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway, and Ronchang Industrial Park, situated opposite the Julius Berger yard on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Leading the enforcement team that sealed the companies, the Authority’s Managing Director, Abayomi Hunye, accused them of violating Section 17 of the Ogun State Waste Management Law 2020 by allowing waste to accumulate on their premises.
He further stated that the companies were also guilty of using unaccredited waste collectors, which is against the provisions of the same law.
“The purpose of shutting them down is to ensure they comply with the proper waste management standards in the state,” Hunye explained. “We issued several notices and warnings, conducted multiple inspections, and advised them to clean their environment and engage government-approved waste collectors, but they remained non-compliant.”
He added that the use of unaccredited waste collectors led to unsanitary conditions at their premises, posing health risks to nearby residents due to the odor and potential groundwater contamination from untreated waste.
“In the interest of public health and safety, we had no choice but to shut them down, especially as their actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the authority of the state, particularly from foreign-owned companies intent on damaging our environment,” Hunye said.
Hunye also issued a warning that any company, whether foreign or Nigerian-owned, found guilty of similar violations would face similar sanctions.