Ogun seals paper company for illegal dumpsite, river pollution

Dahua Paper Company Ltd. has been shut down by the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) for environmental violations. The company, located in Owowo Village near Abeokuta, was found operating an illegal dumpsite and engaging in open burning of waste, contrary to state environmental laws.

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To confirm our intelligence report about them, the company dossier was found operating at the illegal dumpsite, pushing the waste to a river at the end of the dumpsite.

According to OGWAMA Managing Director Faruk Akintunde, the closure followed months of monitoring. The enforcement team discovered the company dumping waste directly into a river adjacent to the dumpsite. This practice risks contaminating water bodies and underground water sources, endangering the health of residents in nearby villages.

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Thereby contaminating the water bodies and polluting the underground water as the river serves nearby villages, hence, putting the health of villagers in danger.

In addition to sealing the facility, OGWAMA confiscated two lorries found at the site, which were allegedly used to transport waste for illegal disposal. Akintunde warned other individuals and organizations against similar practices, urging them to register with the authority and adopt approved waste disposal methods. The company will face the full extent of the law, with potential penalties including fines and imprisonment.

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Aside from these, two lorries used by the company to dump their waste at the illegal dumpsites were also caught on site and have equally been confiscated.