FIC Report (Ogun State) – The Ogun State Government has stated that ongoing industrial growth, which has boosted economic activities, has made effective environmental footprint management increasingly necessary.
Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, made this known while declaring open the 4th Ogun State Environmental Protection Annual Workshop for Chemical Users and Handlers, themed “Transforming E-Waste into Opportunity: A Circular Economy Solution for Ogun State.”
He noted that the high concentration of industries in the state has made it imperative to ensure the proper handling and disposal of waste, including hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, brominated flame retardants, and other toxic materials, which pose a serious threat to the health of residents and the safety of soil and waterways.
The Governor stated that when properly managed, e-waste holds significant value, noting that a single tonne can contain up to one hundred times the gold found in gold ore, alongside silver, copper, and palladium. He added that discarded e-waste remains a valuable resource, which Ogun State is committed to harnessing responsibly.
Representing the Commissioner for Environment, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Kafayat Lawal, said the discussion is timely, noting that Nigeria generates over half a million tonnes of e-waste annually. She added that Ogun State, as a major industrial hub, is well positioned to turn this challenge into an opportunity. She warned that poorly managed e-waste can contaminate soil and water and pose serious public health risks, particularly to children. When properly harnessed, however, it can drive innovation, create jobs, and support sustainable economic growth.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Professor Innocent Barikor, stated that the agency is collaborating closely with financial institutions to tackle the growing challenges of e-waste within the sector.
In his welcome address, the General Manager of OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, said the workshop was designed to establish a structured, safe, and forward-looking framework for e-waste management. He added that regulation alone is not sufficient, stressing the need for stronger collaboration, knowledge sharing, and adoption of best practices, particularly in the safe handling of chemicals during e-waste recycling.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr. Daniel Okpe and Mrs. Olujobi Deborah expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the workshop as timely and highly informative.
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Pedro, Khadija
PIO
INFOR./PRO
FIC, ABEOKUTA.
