Ogun govt threatens to close down Chinese company over infraction
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State government has warned industries operating in the state to conduct their businesses in line with the state’s extant laws or risk sanctions.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Engr .Olabode Ojetola handed down the warning while presiding over a peace meeting arising from a protest by Orimerunmu Community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government against Yoyo Resources Recycling Nigeria Limited that operates in their area.
According to the protest letter from the community, the Chinese company’s production lines emit hazardous carbon soot which pollute the environment thereby posing health challenges to their wellbeing.
Speaking on the protest after listening to the two parties coupled with scientific verification from the officials of the Ministry of Environment which confirmed that carbon emission from the Chinese company which arises from use of oil sludge to fire its furnace had caused havoc on the residents and their property, Engr. Ojetola ordered Yoyo Resources Recycling Nigeria Limited to upgrade its production lines to meet all extant environmental laws of the state in the next four months or face sanctions and possible closure.
The Permanent Secretary said the timeline is necessary to allow the company eliminate carbon emission from its present production lines which pollute the community’s environment with all its hazardous health implications.
Engr.Ojetola added that the decision of the state government on the protest will serve as deterrent to other industries that violates the state environmental laws and overlook the health and safety of their host communities.
He however said the state government will not fail to applaud industries that comply with all its extant evironmental laws and reiterate government desire to open its doors to law-abiding industries to flourish so as to justify its position as the nation’s industrial destination of choice.
Responding, Mr Adetayo Johnson who represented the Orimerunmu Community thanked the state government for its prompt response to the protest which confirmed it as people-centred while Mr Leo Li of Yoyo Resource Recycling Limited pledged his company’s readiness to abide by the state government directive.
