The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, has called for urgent collaboration with the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) to enhance environmental oversight, following a fire outbreak at the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.
The call was made during Hon. Bello’s visit to assess the situation at Goodmatrass, the facility where the fire occurred. The visit underscores growing concerns over environmental management and safety protocols within the state’s industrial zones.
During the inspection, Hon. Bello emphasized the need for OGEPA to exercise its statutory role by regularly monitoring the environmental impact of activities within the free trade zone.
“There is a need for OGEPA to carry out its statutory function, to begin to monitor the environmental effect of the free trade zone in the State,” he stated.
He expressed particular concern about the potential impact of hazardous waste, which currently falls outside the agency’s regular monitoring due to access limitations. Hon. Bello advocated for a more coordinated approach involving local authorities, industrial operators, and environmental experts to ensure the zone remains a safe and sustainable business hub.
The GM highlighted the critical importance of routine environmental inspections and stringent safety protocols in areas of high industrial activity. He stressed the necessity for OGEPA to be granted official access to the zone to perform its duties effectively.
The visit signals a push toward more proactive environmental measures, reinforcing the state’s commitment to prioritizing environmental protection as its industrial sector expands.
Luke Adebesin,
Information and Public Relations Officer, OGEPA.
