OGUN SEALS UP FIRM FOR FLOUTING DIRECTIVES ON WASTE DISPOSAL The Ogun State Government today sealed up Tulip Cocoa Processing Company, Ijebu Imushin in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the State for flagrant disobedience of regulations on waste disposal. The company was dumping and burning used cocoa shells at an unauthorized designation in violation of the State Government’s directive to engage the services of registered waste managers to prevent likely health hazards. The Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Yele Akinyeye, who sealed the company on the order of the Commissioner, Engineer Ayo Olubori said the Ministry had earlier sent a letter to warn the company to desist from the act, adding that its refusal to heed the warning left government with no other option than to seal it up. “We are here primarily to seal up Tulip Cocoa Processing company located in Ijebu Imushin on the grounds of gross violation of the State Environmental Laws on waste management and flagrant disobedience to the order of closure of industrial facilities as contained in our letter of 27th February, 2014”, Akinyeye explained. He said much as the government was interested in far-reaching industrialization of the State, it would not watch helplessly and allow industrialists disobey its laws and existing regulations on waste disposal or any other action that could jeopardize the health of residents. “Manufacturing companies in the State have been directed to engage the services of industrial waste managers to ensure proper disposal of wastes to complement Government’s efforts at providing safe and healthy environment for all. Government therefore has the obligation to ensure that such directive is carried out to the letters. This is necessary to among other things protect the earth and prevent the depletion of the ozone layer”, he pointed out. Reacting to the development, the company’s General Manager, (Operations), Mr. Foluso Ayesoro regretted the failure to seek and obtain an approval before using the site for disposing wastes generated from raw materials. He assured that necessary steps would be taken as directed by the government to facilitate early opening of the sealed company. It would be recalled that the Ministry had two months ago sealed up two Chinese firms located in Okunowa, Odogbolu Local Government for using unapproved and injurious materials for producing petrol-chemical
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 07:03:59 +0000