Ogun State Government has ordered companies or individuals who have storage facilities for chemical to register with the State Environmental Protection Agency for effective monitoring, tracking, evaluation and management of such industrial waste, as part of proactive measures being taken to protect the environment against possible health hazards to the people
Governor Dapo Abiodun gave the directive on Tuesday, during the Second Chemical Handlers and Users workshop, a workshop organised by Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), with the theme, "Circular Solutions For a Sustainable Economy", to educate handlers and users of chemicals on use and effective management, held at Providence Events Centre in Abeokuta, the State capital
'Henceforth, every industry, individual or facility domiciled in the state, with the capacity to use and store chemicals are expected to submit inventory for monitoring, tracking, evaluation and waste management to the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA)”he stated
Abiodun represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, promised continuous support for OGEPA in ensuring proper monitoring, enforcement, research and developing alternative uses of wastes, adding that government would encourage robust cooperation between the public and private sector, to ensure a framework for efficient environmental management.
He assured that his administration would continue to take proactive measures in the management of chemicals and wastes, with the target of actualizing an excellent environmental governance, as well as a sustainable oriented economy.
Prince.Abiodun promised that conventional linear approaches and circular solutions would be deployed in addition to investor-friendly policies put in place for industries to thrive, so as to prevent hazards that industrial wastes might pose to residents.
Similarly the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, speaking as Keynote Speaker at the workshop, described the theme of the workshop as apt, saying the global community navigates through the challenges of chemicals utilisation and their harmful effects on people's health
He stated that proactive measures must be taken to checkmate the environmental ills brought about by industrialisation.
“My Ministry has prioritised initiatives and programmes to promote circular management of wastes in our budgetary submission for the 2024 fiscal year. Ogun State, alongside other selected states of the federation would be witnessing more special intervention projects of the federal government, to promote waste to wealth and waste to energy this year”, he assured
The Minister urged people to maximise opportunities that sustainable chemicals and waste management have to offer to build a healthy population and economy, tasking all to adopt best practices that would ensure that production and use of chemicals have no adverse effects on human health and the environment.
In his remarks, Head, Geo Circle Lafarge, Daniel Adedokun, said that it was high time we proffered a lasting solution to waste management, promising that government would continue to assiduously work to eradicate indiscriminate dumping of wastes.
Also speaking, General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Tunde Ajayi, decried the menace of environmental degradation, pledging continuous support for agencies working tirelessly to check environmental pollution and waste management.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, noted that the workshop was a pointer to government’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices, adding that it would address challenges posed by chemicals and wastes in our evolving landscape.
Oresanya explained that chemical wastes remain in the air, waterways, and land, thereby exerting hazardous effects on the citizens
He reminded OGEPA of its core mandate of ensuring that chemical wastes generated within and around the state is effectively managed, as well as prevent their improper handling, storage and disposal, to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all
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