Ogun State authorities have sealed off Dahua Paper Company Limited in Owowo Village, near Abeokuta, following allegations that the firm operated an illegal dumpsite and engaged in open burning of waste. The Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) took the action after confirming intelligence reports indicating the company's violation of environmental and public health laws. The enforcement operation occurred on Tuesday and marked a significant step in the state's ongoing campaign against improper waste disposal practices. The decision to seal the facility came after months of monitoring and intelligence gathering by OGWAMA. According to Faruk Akintunde, the Special Adviser to the Governor and Managing Director of OGWAMA, the company was found operating an illegal dumpsite opposite its factory, where waste was reportedly dumped and burned. This activity, according to Akintunde, posed a serious risk to nearby communities and water sources. During the enforcement operation, officials confirmed that the company was pushing waste into a river located at the end of the dumpsite, potentially contaminating both surface and groundwater. The river serves several nearby villages, raising concerns about the health risks faced by local residents. Additionally, two lorries used by the company for transporting and dumping waste were seized during the operation. Akintunde emphasized that the company would remain sealed until it faces legal consequences for the alleged violations. He issued a stern warning to all individuals and organizations involved in similar activities, urging them to cease such practices immediately and register with OGWAMA for proper waste disposal procedures. Failure to comply, he noted, could result in further legal actions being taken against them. This move follows a previous warning issued by OGWAMA three weeks earlier, which was reported by PUNCH Metro on July 12. At that time, the authority had cautioned market leaders and traders against converting markets into illegal dumpsites, with threats of shutting down non-compliant markets. The warnings were made after the evacuation of long-standing waste dumps at Farmers' Market on Solu Road, Ifo, and Mamu Market in Ifo and Ijebu North Local Government Areas. In a related development, Lagos State has also been taking steps to combat waste issues. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has prosecuted at least 280 individuals for alleged indiscriminate waste disposal within the past six months. These prosecutions, resulting in convictions, have been carried out as part of an effort to enforce environmental sanitation laws more strictly. Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of LAWMA, stated that the prosecutions were based on increased surveillance, public complaints, and targeted enforcement operations conducted in areas known for illegal waste disposal. Offenders were charged for various offenses, including dumping waste on highways, open defecation, and disposing of refuse in drainage channels between February and July 2026. Gbadegesin highlighted that these actions reflect the Lagos State Government's commitment to improving environmental sanitation and public health. He stressed that the era of careless waste habits must come to an end, emphasizing that environmental laws would be enforced rigorously without exceptions. Alongside enforcement measures, LAWMA has focused on public awareness and community engagement to educate residents on the importance of proper waste disposal and the dangers associated with blocked drainage systems, especially during the rainy season. The agency continues to work closely with community leaders, market associations, and private sector participants to enhance waste collection services and address areas prone to improper waste disposal. LAWMA has warned that individuals convicted of environmental offenses could face fines, community service, or even imprisonment depending on the severity of the case. Enforcement teams continue to patrol across Lagos State's 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas to ensure compliance with waste management regulations. Residents are encouraged to support assigned private sector waste management operators, use designated waste bins, and avoid actions that threaten public health and the environment. LAWMA remains committed to maintaining its enforcement and public education initiatives, urging citizens to report instances of indiscriminate waste disposal through the agency's official reporting channels.
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