By Demilade Michael
Ogun State government has shut down Tera Aqua Environmental Consult Pyrolysis Plant in Sango Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of the State, for serious and harmful environmental infractions with warnings to other companies in the State, not to take its friendly postures to them for granted
The Special Assistant to the State Governor on Environment, Alhaji Farook Akintunde gave the warning while shutting down the black- oil, bio-char and steel wire producing company.
The company was found guilty of operation under harmful, inhuman and substandard condition as its production processes which involves burning of tyres have impacted negatively on the environment and the residents of its immediate communities at the Excellence Estate, which comprises four communities at Igboloye, Idiroko, Ota.
The company was also found liable for continuous release of noxious gases, untreated waste-water and suspended particles into the environment which has caused serious environmental infractions which has led to protest by the residents of the Estate.
Akintunde, who doubles as Chairman of the State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, added that it was discovered upon investigation that the company was also operating without necessary environmental approvals as well as Environmental Impact Assessment which is contrary to state government's guidelines thereby committing serious environmental offences.
He noted that, "no serious government will fold its hands and watch its environmental regulations and guidelines trampled upon, so the company will remain shut until these serious issues are resolved"
"Aside from these, the environmental hazards it caused residents of its immediate communities due to its harmful operation will also be looked into as well as its suitability of its operation at the Estate as the state government lays emphasis on the well-being of its residents than pecuniary gain of few individuals "Akintunde added.
He therefore warned companies in the state that despite government's friendly posture to them, it will not condone any environmental infractions especially those that will have direct impact on residents of the state urging them to obtain necessary documents that will guide them in their operations so that they will not fall into the wrong side of the Environmental Laws of the state.
Responding to the closure of Tera Aqua Environmental Consult, the Vice-Chairman of Riverview Community; one of the four communities in the Excellence Estate, Mr Obanla Abel thanked the state government for coming to their aid as the company's operation has brought untold hardship to its inhabitants through its incessant release of noxious gases and untreated waste-water to the environment adding that the closure will bring peace and tranquility to the Estate and urged those who have left to return as the state government has done the needful by closing down the company until all issues bothering their welfare and well-being are resolved.
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