The Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) has sealed off Quantum Packaging Nigeria Limited- a paper processing company situated along the Lusada-Igbesa Road, Agbara in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area- for operating an illegal dumpsite and engaging in open-air waste burning, offences which contravene Section 2b(a) of the OGWAMA Law 2020 and the Ogun State Environmental and Public Health Law 2006.
OGWAMA’s Managing Director, Hon. Faruk Akintunde, while briefing journalists after the enforcement exercise, said the company was indicted following a comprehensive surveillance, which found it culpable of committing environmental infractions.
He further accused the company of refusing to engage the services of approved waste collectors, but instead indiscriminately dumping and burning waste at an illegal dumpsite.
He said, “As a regulatory body, we are charged with the management and administration of waste, and regrettably, I was here on a familiarisation visit to this particular company where I discovered that they dumped waste indiscriminately inside their factory instead of allowing government-accredited waste collectors to collect and dispose them properly, and they were subsequently warned to desist.
“This warning led to our surveillance team monitoring their waste disposal, and it was therefore discovered that they operate a very big dumpsite on a large expanse of the land near their factory where a lot of burning were equally done to hide their dastardly act, so the Authority and the state government had no option than to shut them down”.
According to him, the illegal activities of the company are harmful to the health and well-being of residents, especially waste burning, which causes health challenges including cancer.
Hon Akintunde stressed that while the state government is friendly to companies operating in the state, it cannot fold its hands and watch the company degrade the environment and endanger the lives of residents.
The OGWAMA boss said the company will not be reopened until it shuts down the illegal dumpsite and establishes a remediation plan to clear up the waste.
