LAGOS REOPENS SIX STEEL FIRMS AFTER MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
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Agency Report
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has reopened six iron and steel manufacturing companies in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, after confirming that they had addressed the environmental violations that led to their closure.
The agency announced the development in a statement issued on Thursday by its General Manager, Dr Tunde Ajayi.
The affected companies—African Steel Mills Ltd., Pulkit Alloy and Steel Ltd., LandCraft Industries Ltd., Sunflag Steel Nigeria Ltd., Gemini Steel Nigeria Ltd. and Top Steel Nigeria Ltd.—were shut down on July 27 following the discovery of serious environmental infractions during an enforcement operation in the Ikorodu industrial corridor.
Ajayi said the companies were allowed to resume operations after a comprehensive compliance assessment confirmed they had implemented corrective measures to address the identified environmental concerns.
He recalled that investigations revealed the firms were emitting brown and black dust, mill scale, shredded dust, dead dust and other particulate pollutants capable of degrading air quality and endangering public health.
“The pollutants pose serious risks to air quality, public health and the environment,” he said.
According to Ajayi, LASEPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the companies before lifting the enforcement order, committing them to full compliance with environmental regulations and operational standards.
“The companies also undertook to implement all corrective measures contained in the MoU to ensure environmentally responsible operations,” he added.
The LASEPA boss explained that the enforcement exercise followed data from the agency’s real-time air quality monitoring network, which detected unusually high pollution levels within the Odogunyan Industrial Corridor.
“Once we observed abnormal pollution levels, we immediately deployed our enforcement teams for on-site inspections,” he said.
Ajayi noted that the agency remained concerned about industrial waste management at heavy-polluting facilities, stressing that continuous monitoring and enforcement are essential to reducing environmental pollution and protecting the health of nearby communities.
He said the companies have been directed to install and maintain effective filtration systems on their furnaces to reduce emissions and ensure proper disposal of industrial waste in line with LASEPA’s environmental standards.
“Our technical team is permanently stationed within the Odogunyan Industrial Corridor to provide technical guidance and ensure strict compliance with these directives,” he said.
Ajayi warned that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, could lead to respiratory illnesses and other health complications.
He added that the agency’s intervention had already resulted in a noticeable reduction in emissions, lowering health risks for residents living around the industrial corridor.
Reaffirming LASEPA’s commitment to sustained environmental enforcement, Ajayi said monitoring teams would continue daily inspections to ensure industries comply with environmental regulations.
“Our enforcement and monitoring teams will remain on ground every day to ensure industrial activities do not compromise the health, safety and well-being of residents in host communities,” he said.
The newly appointed Zonal Head of Ikorodu I, Taiwo Olumuyiwa, also urged the companies to strengthen their environmental management systems and adopt global best practices to sustain compliance.
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