Ogun State Govt Cracks Down on Eateries For Flaunting Environmental Standards

The Ogun state government has given a seven-day ultimatum to the owners of eateries to improve their operational hygiene or face closure and possible prosecution for consistently flouting their immediate environment. The ultimatum was issued by the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, after an on-spot inspection visit to eateries and food outlets in the Oke-Ilewo axis of the state capital, Abeokuta.

During the inspection, Oresanya discovered that accumulated fats, oil, grease, and other food materials were in a confined chamber and not scooped daily, thereby allowing their breakdown by microbes, which releases toxic waste. He also found that the food outlets were discharging their untreated wastewater directly into the public drain and had open holes within their septic tanks holding faecal matters. Additionally, there was evidence of rat infestation within their store areas and general poor housekeeping.

Oresanya warned that the food outlets must immediately improve their operational hygiene to protect their customers and residents from the risk of food poisoning resulting from their present condition. The state government has taken evidence against the concerned food outlets in case there is any need to prosecute them for food poisoning. If they fail to correct all anomalies pointed out to them within the seven-day ultimatum, the case will be escalated to other federal agencies.

The ultimatum is part of the Ogun state government’s efforts to ensure that food outlets in the state adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and safety. The government is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of its citizens and will not hesitate to take decisive action against any food outlet that poses a risk to public health.