The Ogun State Waste Management Authority has shut down two Chinese companies, Yibao Industrial Limited and Ronchang Industrial Park, for failing to adhere to environmental regulations regarding waste management. Yibao Industrial Limited is located at Bara Village along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway, while Ronchang Industrial Park is situated opposite the Julius Berger yard on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The authority’s statement on Sunday revealed that both companies had repeatedly ignored warnings and failed to hire accredited waste collectors, resulting in improper waste disposal. Abayomi Hunye, the Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, led the enforcement team that closed the companies.

Hunye explained that the companies’ actions breached Section 17 of the Ogun State Waste Management Law of 2020. They were found guilty of using unaccredited waste collectors, which not only violated the law but also posed health risks, such as groundwater contamination and unpleasant odors from untreated waste.

"The decision to shut them down aims to enforce compliance with proper waste management practices in the state," Hunye said. He noted that the authority had issued multiple notices and conducted inspections to guide the companies on maintaining environmental standards and using approved waste collectors, but they continued to disregard the rules.

Hunye warned that similar measures would be taken against any company, whether domestic or foreign, found in violation of these regulations. "We have no choice but to close them down in the public’s interest, as their actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for authority," he added.