THE Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), are investigating seven companies engaged in used lead-acid battery recycling at Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area.
A recent mapping of Used Lead-Acid Battery (ULAB) recycling facilities in Nigeria reveals that 64 percent of them are found within Ogun State, with most of them concentrated in the Ogijo area of the state.
This was disclosed by Mrs. Osinaike O.M., the Director of Inspectorate and Compliance Monitoring at the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA).
Nigeria generates an estimated 110,000 tons of ULABs annually, with significant contributions from automotive batteries and a growing solar sector.
In a presentation, tagged, Ogun State Road Map on Subnational ULAB Management, Mrs Osinaike , said that precisely, the eight companies operating in the sector have a combined 5,400 tons of ULAB processed on a monthly basis in the state.
The companies are : African Nonferrous Industries Limited, True Metals Nigeria Limited, Everest Metal Nigeria Limited, Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited, Sphinx Metals Limited (all at Ogijo), including BPL Limited (Mowe), GBMT Global Limited (Mowe) and Green Recycling Limited(Agbara).
OGEPA and NESREA have temporary closure down these factories as part of urgent measures to stem environmental pollution, especially the reported cases of lead -poisoning in the community.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, stated that a comprehensive health and process audit will be conducted on the affected facilities.
This will include testing for lead levels in humans, soil, air, and major water sources within and around the industrial town.
He added that the results of the tests will be made public, while also reviewing the methodology and outcomes of previous assessments cited in media reports.
