ABEOKUTA – The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, has urged industries operating across Ogun State to strengthen compliance with environmental regulations, improve their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and embrace sustainable environmental practices.

Bello made the call during a familiarisation tour of industries across OGEPA’s three operational zones—Ogun Central, Ogun West, and Ogun East—aimed at assessing the level of environmental compliance and strengthening collaboration between the Agency and the private sector.

Addressing the management of the various companies visited, the OGEPA General Manager emphasised the importance of regular environmental training for staff, noting that continuous capacity building would enhance compliance and encourage the adoption of global best practices in environmental management.

He also called on industries to partner with the Ogun State Government on tree-planting initiatives as part of efforts to combat global warming, mitigate the effects of climate change, and promote environmental sustainability across the state.

Bello further charged companies to ensure strict compliance with regulations guiding the handling and disposal of hazardous waste and spent oil by maintaining proper documentation and engaging only licensed waste handlers approved by the Agency.

He also directed industries to install and maintain functional Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to prevent the discharge of untreated wastewater into the environment, warning that environmental protection remains a shared responsibility between government and the private sector.

The OGEPA boss urged companies to strengthen their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes by implementing projects that positively impact their host communities while contributing to environmental sustainability.

He equally advised industries to improve chemical management within their facilities and ensure they obtain all necessary chemical permits from the Agency.

“You should improve your chemical management practices and ensure that the required chemical permit is obtained from OGEPA,” Bello said.

Also speaking during the tour, the Director of Inspectorate and Compliance at OGEPA, Mr. Babatunde Bolarinwa, outlined the statutory environmental permits required for industrial operations, including the Chemical Storage Permit, Effluent Discharge Permit, Environmental Audit Approval, and Environmental Monitoring Programme, among others.

Responding on behalf of the companies visited, the Associate Director of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mrs. Mark Tijani, commended OGEPA for the familiarisation exercise, describing it as a demonstration of the Agency’s commitment to fostering collaboration with industries in promoting environmental compliance and sustainable development in Ogun State.

The tour covered several major industries, including Prorich Products Nigeria Limited, International Breweries Plc, Rite Foods Limited, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, and other manufacturing firms across the state.