The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a healthier and safer environment for residents, aligning its efforts with global standards, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 9.
This was highlighted by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, at a two-day workshop hosted by the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta.
Themed “Enhancing Industrial Waste for a Sustainable Future: Regulatory Compliance, Public Health, and Global Best Practices,” the workshop aimed to engage Health Safety and Environment Personnel of industries across Ogun State.
Mr. Oresanya assured that the government would continue to prioritize solutions for health and safety challenges, particularly in relation to waste management.
He noted, “Ogun is focused on addressing issues related to health and safety, and we will continue to intensify our efforts against companies that engage in poor practices.”
He further stressed the importance of adhering to proper waste disposal methods, pointing out that the use of outdated machines has led to pollution and air emissions, and careless solid waste disposal has caused friction between industries and local communities.
“The present administration initiated OGWAMA as one of its legacies to address waste management,” Oresanya added.
The Special Adviser and Managing Director of OGWAMA, Hon. Abayomi Hunye, welcomed stakeholders to the workshop and highlighted the importance of collaboration.
He encouraged industries to rethink their waste management strategies, focusing on reducing waste at the source, promoting recycling, and recovering valuable resources from waste streams. “This workshop is an opportunity to engage, collaborate, and share ideas,” Hunye said. “It’s a concept of circularity, and I urge you to apply what you learn here at your organizations.”
In their goodwill messages, Mr. Dauda Teslim of Dhawa Paper Mills and Mrs. Opeoluwa Balogun, President of the Waste Vendors Association, expressed their gratitude for the training and promised continued support for OGWAMA’s initiatives to maintain a conducive and sustainable environment for all.
