Dare Babalola
Three environmental consultancy firms have been suspended by the Ogun State government over alleged professional negligence linked to acid battery pollution from closed Used Lead Acid Battery recycling companies in the Ogijo area of the state.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday.
Oresanya said the firms were found culpable during a review of the Process Audit of the closed companies.
He said, “The three consultancy firms attached to the ULAB companies were deficient in reporting the correct situation of the companies to the state government.
“Some of the pollution abatement devices that were supposed to be installed by these companies were not installed, showing clear professional negligence.”
The commissioner explained that while five consultancy firms involved in the audit were invited to defend their reports, two provided explanations that, although not entirely satisfactory, allowed them the opportunity to amend their ways.
“The three suspended firms, however, deliberately absented themselves from the review meeting, knowing fully well they were complicit,” he added.
The commissioner said the state government had no choice but to suspend its operations pending full exoneration from any complicity in the audit findings.
“These firms are suspended from all environmental consultancy services in the state until they clear their names,” he said.
Oresanya confirmed that the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Enforcement Agency have been notified of the decision.
“The suspension is necessary to protect public health and ensure accountability in environmental management,” he added, emphasising that the state would take further action should any evidence of negligence persist.
