The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has reopened six iron and steel manufacturing companies in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu after confirming they had complied with environmental regulations that prompted their earlier shutdown.

The companies, which were sealed during an enforcement operation earlier this week, resumed operations after LASEPA conducted compliance inspections and verified that the required corrective measures had been implemented.

The affected firms are African Steel Mills Ltd, Pulkit Alloy & Steel Limited, LandCraft Industries Ltd, Sunflag Steel Nigeria Ltd, Gemini Steel Nigeria Ltd, and Top Steel Nigeria Ltd.

Speaking during the reopening, LASEPA General Manager, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, said the agency’s decision followed a thorough assessment of the facilities after they addressed the environmental violations identified during inspections.

Ajayi explained that the enforcement exercise was triggered by readings from the agency’s air quality monitoring network, which detected unsafe pollution levels within the Ikorodu Industrial Corridor.

According to him, inspectors observed various forms of particulate emissions, including brown and black dust, mill scale, shredded dust, dead dust, and other non-metallic particles capable of degrading air quality and posing health risks to nearby residents.

He noted that LASEPA operates air quality monitoring stations across Lagos, with environmental data available to the public, adding that the agency would continue relying on real-time monitoring to guide regulatory actions.

As part of the conditions for reopening, the agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the six companies, committing them to comply with environmental regulations and implement all agreed corrective measures.

The agreement requires the firms to install and maintain effective furnace filtration systems to reduce emissions, while ensuring that industrial waste is properly managed and disposed of in accordance with LASEPA’s standards.

Ajayi disclosed that the agency has stationed a technical team permanently within the Odogunyan Industrial Corridor to provide guidance to industries and monitor continuous compliance with environmental requirements.

He warned that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, could lead to respiratory illnesses and other serious health conditions, stressing that the recent intervention had already reduced emissions and improved air quality in the affected communities.

The LASEPA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustained monitoring and enforcement across Lagos, saying inspection teams would remain active to ensure industrial operations do not endanger public health or the environment.

Also speaking, the newly appointed Zonal Head of Ikorodu I, Engr. Taiwo Olumuyiwa, urged the affected companies to strengthen their environmental management practices by adopting globally accepted standards for emission control and waste management.

Olumuyiwa said LASEPA would continue to engage industries constructively while maintaining firm regulatory oversight to promote a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment across the state.