OGUN PLEDGES SUSTAINED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AMID INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Government has declared its commitment to maintaining a proper and adequate environmental management footprint, citing the need to balance continuous industrial development with ecological responsibility.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, made this known while declaring open the 4th edition of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) Annual Chemical Users and Handlers Workshop. The event, themed “Transforming E-Waste into Opportunity: Circular Economy Solution for Ogun State,” focused on harnessing the potential of electronic waste.
The Governor noted that the state’s high concentration of industries makes proper handling and disposal of waste imperative. He warned that toxic substances such as lead, mercury, brominated flame retardants, and other hazardous materials could leach into soil and waterways, threatening the health of residents in host communities.
According to Governor Abiodun, e-waste holds extraordinary value when properly managed, as a single tonne can contain up to one hundred times the amount of gold found in a tonne of ore, alongside silver, copper, and palladium. He stated that Ogun State is determined to take responsibility for turning discarded e-waste into useful resources.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Kafayat Lawal, the Commissioner described the workshop as timely, revealing that Nigeria now generates over half a million tonnes of e-waste annually. As a major industrial hub, Ogun State is uniquely positioned to turn this challenge into an opportunity.
Mrs. Lawal stressed that poorly managed e-waste contaminates soil and water, posing serious public health risks, particularly to children. However, when properly harnessed, e-waste can drive innovation, create jobs, and support sustainable economic growth.
The Director General of the National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Professor Innocent Barikor, disclosed that the agency is working closely with financial institutions to address the growing challenges of e-waste within the sector.
In his welcome address, the General Manager of OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, said the workshop aims to create a structured, safe, and forward-thinking framework for e-waste management. He noted that regulation alone is insufficient, calling for more collaboration, knowledge sharing, and best practices, particularly in safe chemical handling during e-waste recycling.
Responding on behalf of participants, Mr. Daniel Okpe and Mrs. Olujobi Deborah commended the organisers, describing the workshop as timely and enlightening.
— Luke Adebesin, Information and Public Relations Officer, OGEPA
