Ogun State Government has warned operators of industrial machines which emit gaseous effluence into the environment to take steps necessary to prevent the emissions from putting the lives of residents in danger.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Lanre Tejuoso who issued the warning during an inspection to Lafarge Cement, Sagamu and African Foundaries Limited, Ogijo said the emission generates global negative effects on air and is having adverse effects on the environment. Dr. Tejuoso explained that if necessary steps were not taken to address the situation, government would be left with no choice other than sealing up such companies. “This visit is an emergency situation arising from the complaints of the people living around these companies on their unprofessional way of releasing gaseous emission in to the air which has constituted a serious threat to the health of our people”, Tejuoso stated. The State Commissioner therefore gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the industries to submit reports on periodic environmental assessment conducted on their companies, stressing that government, after studying the report, would commission its consultants to confirm scientifically, the complaints received from the people and authenticate the claims of the companies in their reports. “As a responsive government, we are taking this important step to address issues of environmental degradation and pollution occasioned by improper disposal of waste by manufacturing companies. I have therefore, given them 24-hours ultimatum to submit to my office the periodic environmental assessment conducted on their companies and immediate adjustment of their smokestack which is obviously an environmental minus on their part as it falls short of the required 30 meters from the roof level”, he said. Dr. Tejuoso later visited the Isheri Kara illegal dump site where he cautioned that government would no longer take it kindly with the any individual or group who engage in indiscriminate dumping of refuse at undesignated dump sites.
Via: Ogun State Government - Official Press Release
Environmental offenders are unwanted guests in any state. They are never needed cos they are like weeds.