OKUNOWA – The Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) Task Force has shut down two prominent industrial facilities, Forest Timber Industries Limited and Long Xing Plywood Industries Limited, for repeated breaches of state environmental regulations.
The enforcement action was carried out during a targeted compliance operation in Okunowa town, within the Odogbolu Local Government Area.
Hon. Kehinde Bello, the General Manager of OGEPA, detailed the specific violations to newsmen. Forest Timber Industries Limited, a producer of plywood and particle board, was cited for multiple infractions, including illegal open burning, improper management of industrial waste, and unauthorized emissions from its chimney.
Long Xing Plywood Industries Limited, also a plywood manufacturer, was penalized for operating without a mandatory environmental approval and for a documented history of obstructing state officials from accessing its premises for inspection.
According to Bello, the agency was left with no alternative but to seal the premises after the companies ignored repeated warnings and failed to rectify the identified issues.
“These offences are against the environmental laws of the State, and the Agency is more determined than ever to enforce these laws to ensure public safety,” stated Bello. “We will not fold our arms and allow industries in the State to continue to violate our environmental regulations.”
The OGEPA boss issued a stern advisory to all industries operating in Ogun State, urging strict adherence to environmental laws to avoid similar punitive action, including the sealing of their facilities.
