The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, has ordered the implementation of remediation measures by iron and steel companies operating in the Ikorodu industrial corridor following the detection of elevated air pollution levels in the area.
General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Tunde Ajayi, stated this during an inspection and enforcement tour of the facilities, noting that affected companies have been directed to immediately halt production while corrective and pollution-control measures are put in place.
Ajayi explained that the intervention followed irregular readings from the Agency’s air quality monitoring devices, which recorded spikes in nitrogen oxides, sulphur compounds, and particulate matter capable of endangering public health.
According to him, management of the companies agreed to stop all polluting activities and were granted a short grace period to remediate the environment and install appropriate abatement technologies to prevent future violations.
“We have asked them to immediately stop operations, address the source of pollution, and put measures in place to ensure this does not happen again. Over the next few days, we will maintain close monitoring to ensure compliance,” Ajayi said.
He warned that failure to complete remediation within the stipulated period would result in the sealing of facilities or the imposition of heavy sanctions, in line with the polluter-pay principle enshrined in environmental laws.
Ajayi said while LASEPA enforces strict compliance, the Agency also considers the economic impact of shutdowns, as the industries employ thousands of workers, noting that the temporary grace period is intended to balance environmental protection with economic stability.
The LASEPA boss added that the Agency’s air quality monitoring dashboard remains publicly accessible, allowing residents to track pollution levels across the state in real time.
He stressed that pollution from industrial activities must not exceed designated buffer zones or affect nearby residential communities, assuring Lagosians that vigilance and enforcement would be intensified across industrial corridors.