Oyo govt reopens industrial facility sealed over pollution

The Oyo State Government today reopened an industrial company engaged in recycling waste tyres to produce Pyrolysis oil, Carbon Black, and Steel Wire as byproducts.

The company was sealed earlier this month due to nonconformity and failure to adhere to acceptable environmental laws of the state.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Architect Abdulmojeed Olawale Mogbonjubola, directed the unsealing of the facility, Shri-Balaji Industry Limited, earlier in the day. The closure was a result of non-compliance with environmental regulations.

The Commissioner mentioned that the Ministry had recently conducted a tripartite meeting with the facility owner and the leadership of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (M.A.N) regarding the Action Plans submitted by the management of Shri-Balaji Industry Limited.

“The Action Plans, unanimously accepted by the Ministry, Shri-Balaji Industry Limited, and the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), include immediate provisions for medical retainership for all workers, regular checkups, provision of pollution abatement systems and scrubbers, raising the heights of exhaust systems, and reconfiguration of production systems for pollution reduction and cleaner production processes.

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Additionally, there are provisions for appropriate personal protective equipment for all workers, adequate storage of carbon black within a bund wall with shelter to prevent indiscriminate escape of leachate, encouragement of cleanliness, rehabilitation of oil-water separators, improved aesthetics and sanitation, submission of Environmental audit reports, and monthly environmental reports,” stated the Commissioner.

Architect Mogbonjubola reiterated the commitment of the State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, to ensuring a safe and conducive environment for all. He urged facility owners to ensure compliance with both state and national environmental laws.

Meanwhile, Shri-Balaji Industry paid about One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira to the state government coffers as a sanction and an additional Two Hundred Thousand Naira to unseal the facility.

The consultant paid a fine of five hundred thousand naira for negligence of duty in guiding the facility into compliance.

The reopened facility was given a timeline in stages to complete the Action Plans, which should be improved upon going forward. In response to the reopening, Mr. Razaq, the General Manager of Shri-Balaji, expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Government for demonstrating optimal understanding and goodwill towards the company. This will enable its workers to immediately resume duty.