(Left) Men of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) at the factory yesterday, (Up) The locked premises of the factory and (Below) The polluted community river.
Harvest Feed and Processing Ltd, a factory along Ajura-Ogere-Iperu road, has been shut down by the Ogun State Government for polluting Molibu River, the only source of water in its Community.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Farouk Akintunde who doubles as the Chairman, Ogun State Task Force on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, said a petition was received from Agura Youth Development Associations against the factory for discharging waste water into their river.
The Special Adviser said the petition disclosed that the water had posed a serious risk to the health of residents of the community, saying many had made use of it ignorantly and this could lead to grievous waterborne diseases among other health complications.
According to the petition” The River which serves as a crucial source of water for washing, bathing and other domestic purposes is now contaminated”
Hon. Akintunde further explained that the shutdown of the factory became imperative so as to lunch a comprehensive investigation into the waste disposal practice of the factory and prevent future reoccurrence.
He reiterated the Agency position to go all out on facilities that would not adhere strictly to regulations of the State Government.
