Ogun Vows Crackdown on Lax Industrial Waste Practices

The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to forging an environment where industrial productivity can thrive simultaneously with the highest standards of public safety. This pledge was reiterated at a two-day annual workshop for Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Officers, signaling a new, uncompromising era for industrial waste management in the state.

The workshop, organized by the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) and themed “Synergy, Standard and Solutions: Forging A New Era in Industrial Waste Management in Ogun State,” served as the platform for the government’s firm declaration.

Delivering the keynote address, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya—represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Akinbode Oresanya—stressed that the workshop was an essential part of the Ministry’s broader initiative to overhaul environmental governance. This initiative includes a comprehensive plan to upgrade environmental monitoring systems across all industrial clusters, significantly enhance inspection protocols and regulatory enforcement, and undertake a crucial review of hazardous waste management guidelines to align them with international best standards. The government is also focused on strengthening collaboration with industrial associations and environmental service providers to ensure compliance is a collective effort.

Dr. Oresanya called upon participants to utilize the forum to synergize their efforts and formulate new, practical solutions in partnership with the State Government. The ultimate goal, he stated, is to create a new era of industrial waste management that will yield tangible benefits for the environment, the state’s economy, and most importantly, its residents.

Formally declaring the workshop open, the Special Adviser and Managing Director of OGWAMA, Abayomi Hunye, emphasized the necessity of equipping participants with the latest global industrial waste management practices. Hunye highlighted Ogun State’s unique position as the state blessed with the highest number of industries in the nation, a status which means the government “could not afford to drop the ball” on environmental stewardship. He affirmed the State Government’s resolute commitment to building a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable ecosystem, declaring unequivocally that the “era of lax industrial waste practices and management are over.” The government’s statements mark a clear regulatory pivot toward increased scrutiny and zero tolerance for environmental negligence within its industrial zones.