The Ogun State government has declared that the continuous industrial development that has brought an increase in economic activities has necessitated a need for a right and adequate environmental management footprint.
The Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, stated this when he declared open the 4th edition of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Annual Chemical Users and Handlers Workshop, Themed "Transforming E-Waste into Opportunity: Circular Economy Solution for Ogun State.
According to him, the high concentration of industry in the State, had made it imperatives for proper handling and disposal of waste, that included lead, mercury, brominate flame retardants and other toxic substances into the soil and waterway that had threatened the health of residents of those communities.
The Governor said, e-waste when properly managed had extraordinary value as a single ton contained up to one hundred times of gold ore alongside silver, cooper and palladium, as discarded e-waste remained useful, which Ogun State had determined to claim responsibility.
Representing the Commissioner for Environment, Permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Kafayat Lawal, revealed that the conversation could not be more timely as Nigeria now generate over half a million tonnes of e-waste annually and Ogun state as a major industrial hub, had been uniquely positioned to turn this challenge into opportunity, stressing that if poorly managed, e-waste would contaminate the soil, water and pose serious public health risks particularly to children, but when properly harnessed, it would drive innovation, create jobs and support sustainable economic growth.
Also speaking, the Director General National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Professor Innocent Barikor, said his agency was working closely with financial institutions to address the growing challenges of e-waste within the sector.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the General Manager, OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, said the workshop was aimed at creating a structured, safe and forward thinking framework for e-waste management, adding that the regulation alone was not enough, hence the need for more collaboration, knowledge sharing and best practices, particularly in safe chemical handling during e-waste recycling.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Mr. Daniel Okpe and Mrs. Olujobi Deborah, commended the organisers, saying that the workshop was timely in enlightening the participants.
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Environment