NESREA Closes Six Ogun Recycling Plants for Environmental Violations

Enforcement Actions Target Illegal Recycling Practices

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has taken decisive action against illegal recycling operations in the Ogijo community of Ogun State. In collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, NESREA sealed six recycling facilities on Thursday due to non-compliance with the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024 and a protocol designed to ensure the environmentally sound management of used lead-acid batteries.

The enforcement action highlights growing concerns over unsafe recycling practices that release toxic lead and other heavy metals into the environment. These practices pose significant risks to both residents and the surrounding ecosystem. The Ogijo area, known as a key hub for battery recycling, has long been associated with complaints of lead contamination, soil degradation, and air pollution caused by improper waste handling.

Compliance Measures and Safety Protocols

According to NESREA, the new protocol mandates recyclers to manage used lead-acid battery (ULAB) slag and base-metal residue safely and responsibly. It also requires prioritizing staff welfare through annual blood lead testing and providing adequate personal protective equipment. Facilities are required to conduct yearly environmental impact audits on surrounding communities, adopt cleaner recycling technologies, and participate in pilot projects exploring the use of slag in brick and cement production.

The enforcement efforts were preceded by extensive assessments and sensitization campaigns conducted in partnership with the Ogun State Government and other stakeholders under the Project for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling. This initiative aims to promote sustainable and safe recycling practices across the industry.

Additional Enforcement Actions

Thursday’s action follows a similar move by the Federal Government three days earlier, when two factories in Ogun State were shut down for “grave violations” of Occupational Safety and Health standards. The affected companies—True Metals Nigeria Limited and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited—are located along the Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor.

The closures were ordered by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, during an unscheduled inspection tour on Monday. At True Metals Nigeria Limited, a battery recycling plant, the minister expressed outrage over hazardous and dehumanizing working conditions. She noted that workers were exposed to unprotected lead emissions, lacked basic sanitation facilities, and operated without mandatory automation equipment despite previous verbal warnings.

“That you are giving our people jobs does not warrant putting their lives at risk,” she said. “We cannot say we are creating jobs while we are killing our people. There is no price for life. Every Nigerian deserves a safe and dignified working environment.”

Ongoing Challenges and Future Steps

Despite these enforcement actions, challenges remain in ensuring compliance across the recycling sector. The lack of proper infrastructure, limited awareness of safety protocols, and economic pressures often drive operators to cut corners. NESREA and its partners continue to emphasize the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and increased public awareness.

The agency has also called for greater collaboration between government agencies, industry players, and local communities to address the root causes of unsafe recycling practices. This includes investing in cleaner technologies, improving worker training, and enforcing stricter penalties for non-compliance.

As the situation evolves, it remains crucial for all stakeholders to work together to protect public health and the environment from the harmful effects of improper battery recycling.