OGSG SHUTS DOWN COMPANY OVER NON-COMPLIANCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

To further ensure safety of its citizenry, Ogun State Government has shut down a company in Sango-Ota, over non-compliance on stipulated action plan guiding companies under its supervision.

The Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Environment and the Chairman Special Task Force Committee on Environment, Hon. Farouk Akintunde, during an inspection to a company, Solar Energy Ventures Industry Enterprise, said the company was working at variance with the lay down rules and regulations governing establishments or companies in the state.

Hon. Akintunde further explained that the department of Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) was saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and inspecting all companies to ensure companies comply with laws guiding them.

According to him, “Ogun State Government is friendly to all industries and companies in the state, but at the same time, will not condone activities of companies that negate extant rules and regulations guiding its operations.

“The company on two occasions have been found not complying with the rules, in line with the modus operandi of the Ministry. When the company was visited, many regulations were violated; they were given an action plan but the company refused to abide by it. At a time, officials were denied entry into the company for inspection, coupled with various petitions received from affected and concerned residents on pollution, which stipulates violation of section 22 and section 39 of the extant regulations”, he said.

The SSA expressed government‘s dissatisfaction with the company’s nonchalant attitude towards its workers’ health due to dust emissions during production, stating that a stop work and an invitation notice, which it refused to honour, had earlier been served.

He warned that the present administration would not allow companies to put the lives of others at risk, pointing out that government had provided infrastructure and enabling environment for industries to come on board, which should be reciprocated by conforming to laws of establishment