The Oyo State Government has sealed a facility engaging in the recycling of waste tyres which it used to produce pyrolysis oil, carbon black and steel wire as byproducts.
The recycling has led to pollution of environment with its attendant problems, as the facility itself was stained with carbon black.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resource, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, the move to seal the facility is part of government’s efforts at ensuring conformity and adherence by companies, industrial firms, and corporate bodies, to acceptable global, and state environmental laws.
According to him, the company had no evidence of engagement with solid waste contractor, while the workers re exposed to high risk, as there was no provisions for personal protective equipment PPE, nor evidence of health scheme for staffs in all sections of production.
The facility, Shri-Balaji Industry Limited, Olopomeji, along Ife road, Ibadan, in Egbeda Local Government, which has been in existence since 2016, has been discovered to have grossly embarked on unhealthy practices, which contravened the Extant Environmental Regulations of the State.
He said that during several routine monitoring to the company, by Ministry Officials, it was discovered that the pyrolysis process had led to unhealthy emissions, with Flora sighted within and outside of the facility, and stained with Carbon black, which consequently is hazardous to human health.
There was no potable water, and the air quality measured by the ministry ,was beyond the set standard by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Architect Mogbonjubola emphasized that, earlier, the Ministry had instructed the facility management to engage the services of needed experts, to put every recommendations and mitigation measures given to it, by the Ministry in place, especially, the engagement of services of a certified safety officer, and do proper housekeeping.
According to Mogbonjubola, Shri-Balaji Industry Limited had earlier been culpable and sanctioned with a fine of One Million, and Five Hundred Thousand Naira only, to be paid to Government coffers, which it declined.
Mogbonjubola, however, expressed his displeasure over the Non-compliance disposition of some facility owners, industries, companies and corporate organizations to existing extant rules and regulations. He emphasized that the present administration would not in any way compromise standards, nor tolerate violators of Environmental Health laws of the State.
