The Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) has called on industries across the state to comply more strictly with environmental regulations, improve corporate social responsibility and adopt sustainable environmental practices.
The agency’s General Manager, Kehinde Bello, made the call during a familiarization tour of companies across OGEPA’s three operational zones—Ogun Central, Ogun West and Ogun East.
According to Bello, the visit was aimed at assessing industries’ level of compliance with environmental standards while strengthening collaboration between the agency and the private sector in protecting the environment.
He urged companies to organize regular environmental management training for their employees, saying continuous capacity building would encourage the adoption of global best practices.
Bello also encouraged industries to partner with the state government on tree-planting initiatives to help mitigate climate change, reduce global warming and promote environmental sustainability.
He stressed the need for strict compliance with regulations on hazardous waste and spent oil management, urging companies to maintain proper documentation and engage only approved waste handlers. He also directed industries to install and maintain efficient Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to prevent the discharge of untreated wastewater into the environment.
“You should improve your chemical management practices and ensure that the required chemical permit is obtained from OGEPA,” Bello said.
Also speaking, OGEPA’s Director of Inspectorate and Compliance, Babatunde Bolarinwa, outlined key environmental permits required for industrial operations, including Chemical Storage Permits, Effluent Discharge Permits, Environmental Audit Approvals and Environmental Monitoring Programme certifications.
Responding on behalf of the companies visited, Fidson Healthcare Plc’s Associate Director, Mrs. Mark Tijani, commended OGEPA for the engagement, describing the exercise as a positive step toward strengthening collaboration between the agency and industries in promoting environmental compliance and sustainable development in Ogun State.
