The Ogun State Government has taken the decisive step of shutting down an agro-processing company, Supreme Agro Limited in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, in a bid to safeguard the environment from hazardous pollution.
In response to complaints from the Igbesa host community, the Ogun State Environmental Task Force conducted thorough investigations, which confirmed serious industrial pollution caused by the company, severely impacting the ecosystem of the area.
Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, stated that despite initial denials, the company was found guilty of discharging untreated wastewater directly into the community, leading to detrimental effects on the well-being of the residents. Oresanya emphasized that the company bypassed the installation of effluent plants designed to remove hazardous components from the wastewater before disposal, thereby releasing it in its harmful state.
Expressing disdain for the company’s actions, Oresanya condemned the discharge of wastewater containing heavy metals, carcinogenic materials, and other harmful chemicals into the community, attributing it to unwarranted deaths and adverse health impacts on the residents.
The Commissioner emphasized that the company’s operations will remain suspended until it rectifies the environmental damage and demonstrates a more responsible approach to production processes, taking into account the welfare of the host community during remediation efforts.
Oresanya commended the Igbesa Traditional Council for alerting the state government to the company’s unacceptable environmental practices, reaffirming the government’s commitment to upholding environmental integrity and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.
