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Ogun Govt Shuts Firm Indefinitely Over Release Of Harmful Substances
The Ogun State Government has taken action against Tera Aqua Environmental Consult in Sango Ota for severe environmental violations in line with its commitment to enforcing global environmental standards in industries.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Farook Akintunde, Chairman of the Task Force on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement and Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, stated that the company was shut down because it operated under harmful and substandard conditions.
Nation Post understands that the production processes, particularly the burning of tyres, had a detrimental impact on the environment and the well-being of residents.
Additionally, the company was held responsible for the continuous release of harmful gases, untreated wastewater, and suspended particles into the environment, which resulted in serious environmental infractions and prompted protests from the local residents.
Akintunde mentioned that during the investigation, it was revealed that the company was operating without the required environmental approvals and environmental impact assessment, going against the state government’s regulations and committing significant environmental violations.
“No serious government will fold its arms and watch its environmental regulations and guidelines trampled upon. So the company will remain shut until these serious issues are resolved.
“Besides these, the environmental hazards it caused residents of its immediate communities due to its harmful operation will also be looked into, as well as the suitability of its operation on the estate, as the state government lays emphasis on the well-being of residents than pecuniary gain of few individuals,” he said.
Akintunde cautioned companies that, although the government is supportive of them, it will not tolerate any environmental violations, particularly those that could harm residents.
He advised them to acquire the necessary documentation to ensure compliance with environmental laws and avoid any legal issues.
Responding to the company’s closure, the Vice Chairman of Riverview Community, one of the four communities on Excellence Estate, Mr. Obanla Abel, thanked the state government for coming to their aid, “as the company’s operation has brought untold hardship to us through its incessant release of noxious gases and untreated waste water to the environment.”
