By: Tijani Salako.

The recently inaugurated task force of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) has lived up to expectations by sealing off two industries for violating the State’s environmental laws.

The two companies Forest Timber Industries Limited and Long Xing Plywood Industries Limited, both situated in the Odogbolu Local Government Area, failed to comply with environmental regulations.

The General Manager of OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, disclosed this to newsmen at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, through the Head of Public Relations, Mr. Luke Adebesin.

Hon. Bello noted that the Task Force team visited Okunowa town in the Odogbolu Local Government Area as part of the compliance and enforcement exercise.

He added that Forest Timber Industries Limited, a manufacturer of plywood and particle board, violated government laws by engaging in open burning, poor management of solid waste, and emitting harmful substances from their chimneys.

Similarly, Long Xing Plywood Industries Limited, also a plywood manufacturer, was found guilty of environmental infractions for operating without the required environmental approvals and for repeatedly denying government agency officials access to its facility.

The OGEPA boss explained that the agency was compelled to seal the industries after issuing several warnings, which the companies refused to heed.

“These offenses are against the environmental laws of the State, and the Agency is determined to enforce these laws to ensure public safety

“We will not fold our arms and allow industries in the State to continue violating our environmental laws,” Bello added.

He called on all industries to comply with the state’s environmental regulations to avoid government sanctions, including the sealing of their facilities.