The Ogun State Government has restated its resolve to build a cleaner, safer and more sustainable industrial ecosystem, declaring that the era of lax industrial waste practices in the state is drawing to an end.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Oladimeji Oresanya, said this at a two-day capacity workshop for HSE officers, waste vendors and Private Sector Participants (PSPs) in waste collection, tagged “Synergy, Standards, Solutions: Forging a New Era of Waste Management in Ogun State.”
Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Akinbode Shofela, Oresanya said effective collaboration among stakeholders, strict adherence to standards and the courage to implement practical solutions were crucial to achieving a sustainable industrial waste management architecture in the state.
“This administration under Prince Dapo Abiodun remains fully committed to building and sustaining an environment that supports industrial productivity without compromising public well-being,” Oresanya said.
“This workshop reinforces the message that sustainable industrial development is a shared responsibility of every facility operating within our borders.”
He warned that improper industrial waste handling has severe consequences, including contaminated soil and water, polluted air, occupational hazards and long-term health risks.
On the contrary, he said proper waste management boosts operational efficiency, reduces costs, enhances corporate reputation and strengthens the circular economy.
Declaring the workshop open, the Special Adviser and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), Hon. Abayomi Hunye, said the programme was informed by observations made during his visits to industrial facilities across the state.
He noted that last year’s edition produced encouraging outcomes and expressed satisfaction with the increasing compliance levels among companies and improved waste evacuation practices by PSP operators.
“The feedback from the field shows that many companies are responding to the state’s directives. Their compliance, as well as the renewed seriousness of PSP operators, is commendable,” Hunye said.
Earlier, the General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, represented by the Director of Inspectorate and Compliance Monitoring, Mrs. Oluyemisi Osinaike, said the workshop was critical to aligning industry practices with global safety and waste governance standards.
She stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks that enforce responsible waste reduction, recycling and disposal in line with circular economy principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Industrial standards are not optional. They exist to protect the environment, workers and communities,” she said.
“I encourage all industrial facilities to pursue internationally recognised certifications such as ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 45001 for occupational safety. These certifications help drive continuous improvement and ensure full compliance.”
The workshop, organised by OGWAMA, attracted over 1,000 stakeholders, including waste vendors, HSE officers, environmental officials and representatives from various industries across the state.
The government says it expects the outcomes of the workshop to usher in a new era of responsible, standard-driven industrial waste management that protects both the environment and the economy.
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