By Demilade Michael
Ogun State government has shut down Maths Metal Recycling Limited, Sagamu, in Sagamu local government area of the State, for industrial pollution.
It was gathered that the company deliberately released contaminated oil into its immediate environment.
The State Commissioner for Environment,Ola Oresanya said the state government had no option than to shut the company, as several warnings to the company was not heeded by its management thereby causing grievous harm to people living in its immediate environment.
He said, the recycling company deliberately made holes at the back of its premises to discharge the contaminated oil into its immediate environment, instead of installing retention tanks within its premises where the bad oil and other solvents are supposed to be treated.
"By doing this, the management of Maths Metal has not only caused pollution, but has committed criminal act that are punishable under the Ogun State Environmental Sanitation Laws, as their deliberate action has adversely affected residents of community living around them".
"The state government will now have to establish the extent of damage done to the well-being of members of the community, especially the percolation of the contaminated oil on their underground water", Oresanya added.
He further revealed that after strict assessment, the state government will determine whether any remediation can be done which the recycling company will be made to pay for while other corrective actions may be considered as deterrent.
Oresanya also used the opportunity to warn other industries operating in the state against pollution and other environmental infractions, saying it will not be business as usual as the state government will not shy away from protecting her citizens, especially the vulnerable ones from any environmental hazards.
He also reiterates government resolve to backlist consultants that connived with them to commit these infractions and threatened to report them to the federal authorities for possible nationwide sanctions.
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