OGEPA Charges Industries on Environmental Compliance, CSR, Tree Planting
The Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) has called on industries operating across the State to strengthen compliance with environmental regulations, improve Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and adopt sustainable environmental practices.
The General Manager of OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, made the appeal during a familiarisation tour of companies across the Agency’s three operational zones covering Ogun Central, Ogun West and Ogun East.
The tour was organised to assess the level of environmental compliance among industries and further strengthen collaboration between OGEPA and the private sector in safeguarding the environment.
Addressing management teams of the various companies visited, Bello emphasised the need for industries to organise periodic environmental training programmes for their employees to enhance knowledge and build capacity in environmental management. He noted that continuous training would encourage the adoption of global best practices and promote a healthier environment.
The OGEPA boss also urged industries to partner with the Ogun State Government on tree-planting initiatives aimed at combating global warming, mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting environmental sustainability across the state.
He further directed companies to ensure strict compliance with regulations guiding the management of hazardous waste and spent oil by maintaining proper documentation and engaging only approved waste handlers in line with the agency’s environmental guidelines.
Bello also stressed the importance of installing and maintaining efficient Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to prevent the discharge of untreated wastewater into the environment.
On corporate responsibility, he encouraged industries to strengthen their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes by implementing projects that positively impact their host communities while contributing to environmental sustainability.
He also advised companies to improve chemical management practices within their facilities and obtain the necessary chemical permits from OGEPA.
“You should improve your chemical management practices and ensure that the required chemical permit is obtained from OGEPA,” Bello stated.
Also speaking during the tour, OGEPA’s Director of Inspectorate and Compliance, Mr. Babatunde Bolarinwa, outlined the statutory environmental permits required for industrial operations, including Chemical Storage Permits, Effluent Discharge Permits, Environmental Audit Approvals and Environmental Monitoring Programmes.
Responding on behalf of the companies visited, the Associate Director of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mrs. Mark Tijani, commended OGEPA for the familiarisation exercise, describing it as a demonstration of the strong partnership between the agency and industries in promoting environmental compliance and sustainable development in Ogun State.
Industries visited during the tour included Prorich Products Nigeria Limited, International Breweries Plc, Rite Foods Limited, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Nestlé Nigeria Plc and Unilever Nigeria Plc, among others.
