The Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) has taken drastic measures against two Chinese companies, Yibao Industrial Limited and Ronchang Industrial Park, for their blatant disregard for environmental regulations.
The companies were found to be operating in squalid conditions, with rampant waste disposal practices that pose a significant threat to public health and safety.
Despite repeated warnings, the companies refused to engage licensed waste management services, prompting OGWAMA to seal off their premises.
According to Abayomi Hunye, Special Adviser to the governor and Managing Director of OGWAMA, the companies’ actions were a flagrant violation of the Ogun State Waste Management Law 2020.
“The essence of shutting them down is to ensure that they comply with the standard ways of managing wastes in the state.”
“We have served them several notices and warnings and they refused to comply. We have even gone to their premises for inspections severally to counsel them to clean their environment and engage government approved waste collectors but they were unyielding.”
“They both engage unaccredited waste collectors who have no capacity to manage their waste. That is why their premises are dirty thereby exposing residents of the state to unnecessary odour and possible underground water infections from their untreated waste.”
“So we have no alternative than to shut them down in the overriding public interest as their behaviour and action smacks of gross disrespect to constituted authority especially from companies owned by foreigners who are hellbent destroying our environment.”
Hunye warned that any company found guilty of similar violations would be sanctioned whether it is owned by Nigerians or foreigners.
