The Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) has sealed two manufacturing companies—Forest Timber Industries Limited and Long Xing Plywood Industries Limited—over alleged violations of the state’s environmental laws.
The General Manager of OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists during a compliance and enforcement exercise carried out by the agency’s Task Force in Okunowa town, Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state.
According to Bello, Forest Timber Industries Limited, which is engaged in the production of plywood and particle boards, was found to have engaged in open burning, poor management of solid waste, and uncontrolled emissions from its chimney, in contravention of extant environmental regulations.
He also revealed that Long Xing Plywood Industries Limited was sealed for operating without the required environmental approvals, as well as for repeatedly denying officials of relevant government agencies access to its facility.
Bello explained that the decision to seal the two companies followed several warnings issued to them, which he said were ignored.
“These offences are clear violations of the environmental laws of Ogun State. The agency is fully determined to enforce these laws in the interest of public health and safety,” he said.
He warned that OGEPA would not tolerate actions by industries that threaten the environment, stressing that the agency would continue to clamp down on erring firms across the state.
The OGEPA boss urged all industrial operators in Ogun State to comply strictly with environmental regulations to avoid sanctions, including the sealing of their facilities.
