In a decisive move to protect public health, the Lagos State Safety Commission sealed multiple chemical factories and retail outlets in the bustling Ojota district on Thursday, citing egregious violations of safety and environmental protocols.
The dawn raid, spearheaded by Director-General Mr. Lanre Mojola, targeted operations breaching the Lagos State Safety Commission Law of 2011.
Despite multiple warnings and an extended grace period, facility owners ignored critical safeguards, prompting the swift enforcement action.
Mojola revealed that the commission had conducted prior inspections and convened several dialogues with chemical industry leaders.
He said on May 9, 2025, operators signed a binding letter of undertaking, pledging to roll out essential reforms such as launching a thorough safety audit across the entire market, hosting training sessions on spotting hazards and assessing risks, equipping every shop with functional and readily available fire extinguishers, keeping meticulous and current records of all chemicals complete with expiration dates, mandating the consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by staff, posting prominent safety signs along with proper chemical labeling and accessible Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and crafting robust plans for disaster response and business resilience.
“With the deadline long passed, these dealers have squandered every chance to rectify their lapses,” Mojola declared.
“Sealing these sites was our last resort to shield lives and assets from imminent peril.”
“The closures will persist until operators demonstrate unwavering adherence to standards,” Mojola affirmed, issuing a stark advisory to manufacturers and traders statewide to prioritize safety or face the consequences.
