Ogun, industrialists synergise for effective chemical control and management

*Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State stresses the stakeholders’ deep adherence to environmental safety guidelines in the state will help to attain the Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Ogun State Government (OGSG) is synergising with industrial stakeholders, especially the chemical handlers and users, to further deepen adherence to environmental safety guidelines in the state.

ConsumerConnect reports    Governor (Prince) Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State disclosed this development Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the  maiden edition workshop for Chemical Handlers and Users for Industrial and Commercial facilities in the state.

Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to Ogun State Government (middle); Mr. Ola Oresanya, Commissioner for Environment (left); and Prof. Babajide Alo, ex-DVC University of Lagos (right, in suit), at the Chemical Handlers and Users Workshop for Industrial and Commercial Facilities     Photo: OGSG

The governor, at workshop organised by the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), in Abeokuta, the state capital, stated that the step would help to attain the global Agenda 2030 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 6.

Prince Abiodun, represented by Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said the Ogun State as the industrial hub of Nigeria, is susceptible to environmental hazards.

He also said: “The government is taking steps to stem the tide of chemical pollution by re-igniting the responsiveness of industrial and commercial chemical outfits for a sustainable control and management of chemical storage and usage.”

According to him, chemicals are the most critical agent of Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution due to its importance to the industrial sector.

Abiodun further noted there is need for every user and handler to imbibe necessary knowledge on its proper management.

The governor urged the stakeholders to contribute their quota to enhance a livable, safe and healthy environment for the people of Ogun State.

In his address, Mr. Ola Oresanya, Honourable Commissioner for Environment, had earlier advocated effective handling, control and management of hazardous chemicals to avoid environmental degradation.

He stated that it is only in a good environment that the industries would flourish and make the state liveable for all.

Oresanya added that the state government is desirous of an environment free of any degradation through proper handling of chemicals by its users.

In the lead paper titled “Chemical Identification, Classification and Labeling-Preventive Methods and Control of Chemical Hazards”, Prof. Babajide Ibitayo Alo, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Lagos, said it was important for manufacturers to substitute chemicals with less hazardous ones, modify the usage and dispose them professionally in line with the state’s regulated laws guiding waste management.

Prof. Alo, who also enlightened stakeholders on chemical identification, labeling and preventive measures for control of chemical hazards, noted that improper use and exposure to chemicals were dangerous to human health.

Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), who spoke on “Best Practices for Sustainable Environmental Management- A Case Study of Lagos State”, advised that each state should enact laws to control industrial pollution and wastes in its domain with appropriate deterrent as current punishments in the books for offending industries are not deterrent enough, to have a  better environmental management.

There were also panel discussions on Chemical Storage and Safety as well as Sustainable Waste Management by experts at the workshop.