Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Ogun State government has warned metal recycling companies in Ogijo area of Sagamu Local Government against flouting the March 31st, 2026 deadline given to retrofit their operations.
the companies were asked to replace their present old and obsolete equipment with modern and advanced technologies or face severe penalties.
This is aimed at preventing future environmental hazard in the town.
Recall that the state government recently called for a temporary ban on the export of lead ingot from the state and announced the closure of the seven industries that were involved in the lead acid battery recycling within the Ogijo community after a trending video about an alleged case of lead poisoning in the community emerged.
The General Manager of the State Environmental Protection Agency, OGEPA, Kehinde Bello, noted that the government is committed to ensuring the safety of residents, hence the issuance of a deadline.
Bello asserted that any industry that fails to meet the deadline will not only face severe penalties but will be shut permanently in the overriding public interest.
He gave the reminder and its consequences on Monday, during a stakeholders meeting between the representatives of the metal recycling companies and executive members of the Ogijo community associations held at the ministry’s conference room Okemosan,Abeokuta.
He said, “By retrofitting their operations with modern and advanced technologies, it will stop the pollution emanating from their obsolete equipments which continually have negative and hazardous effects on their immediate communities coupled with their irresponsible attitude in abating them.
“Before arriving on March 31st 2026, various administrations in the state have taken several measures which include, sanctions such as payment of penal sums, stop-work order and facility closure, all focused on ensuring that they retrofit their operations over the last fifteen years.”
Bello argued that the companies had earlier been notified of the deadline and the meeting was a reminder, opining that no matter their importance to the state’s economic growth, it will not compromise the health and well-being of its Ogijo residents.
Meanwhile, the OGEPA boss told the executive members of the community development associations that the state government will not entertain any pleading from them to extend the deadline, stressing that its decision is final and urged them to support the administration in resolving and restoring a healthy safe environment to Ogijo town and its environs.
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