The Ogun State Government says it has shut down Maths Metal Recycling Limited, Sagamu for industrial pollution after it deliberately released contaminated oil into its environment.
Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, who disclosed this in Abeokuta, yesterday, said the state government had no option than to shut the company as several warnings to the company were not heeded by its management, thereby causing grievous harm to people living in its immediate environment.
According to him, the recycling company deliberately punctured holes at the back of its premises to discharge the contaminated oil into its immediate environment instead of installing retention tanks within its premises where the bad oil and other solvents are supposed to be treated.
He said: “By doing this, the management of Maths Metal has not only caused pollution but has committed criminal acts that are punishable under the Ogun State Environmental Sanitation Laws as their deliberate action has adversely affected residents of the community living around them.
“The state government will now have to establish the extent of damage done to the well-being of members of the community, especially the percolation of the contaminated oil on their underground water.”
He further revealed that after strict assessment, the state government will determine whether any remediation can be done, which the recycling company will be made to pay for while other corrective actions may be considered as deterrent.
Oresanya also used the opportunity to warn other industries operating in the state against pollution and other environmental infractions, saying it will not be business as usual as the state government will not shy away from protecting her residents, especially the vulnerable ones from any environmental hazards.
He also reiterated government resolve to blacklist consultants that connived with them to commit these infractions and threatened to report them to the federal authorities for possible nationwide sanctions.
