Environment
THE Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has urged chemical handlers to embrace self-regulation and adopt best practices to safeguard lives, property and the environment.
The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, made the call at the 2026 Chemical Handlers’ Stakeholders’ Workshop in Lagos.
The workshop had the theme: “From Risk Management and Compliance to Self-Regulation.”
Ajayi described chemical management as indispensable to manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors of the economy.
He, however, stressed that chemicals must be handled safely to prevent hazards.
“Safety in chemical management is the cornerstone of sustainable industrial operations.
“A workplace where chemical hazards are poorly managed puts lives, property and the environment at risk.
“That is why safety must always remain our highest priority,” he said.
Ajayi assured participants that LASEPA would continue to partner industries to promote safer practices, regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability.
He urged stakeholders to actively participate in the workshop by exchanging ideas, addressing challenges and strengthening collaboration with the agency.
Earlier, the Director of Environmental Education, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Monsura Banire, who represented the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, called on chemical handlers to comply with environmental regulations.
Banire said chemicals were essential to industries and daily life but could pose serious threats when improperly handled.
She urged operators to adhere to LASEPA’s guidelines on chemical storage, transportation, usage and waste disposal.
According to her, compliance is not only about avoiding sanctions but also about protecting lives, preserving the environment and securing the future of Lagos State.
She reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to supporting stakeholders through policies, capacity building, stakeholder engagement and effective enforcement.
Also speaking, a former General Manager of LASEPA, Ayodele Antonio, described chemical management as a critical component of pollution control.
Antonio said only trained personnel should engage in chemical handling because of the hazards associated with the substances.
He stressed that understanding the properties of chemicals was essential to preventing dangerous reactions that could endanger human health and the environment.
He urged chemical handlers to take advantage of training opportunities organised by regulatory agencies.
According to him, the annual workshop remains relevant because chemical management is constantly evolving, requiring operators to update their knowledge and skills regularly.
In her opening remarks, Banire said the annual workshop reflected LASEPA’s commitment to continuous learning, stakeholder engagement and capacity building.
She said the agency expected participants to leave with practical knowledge and strategies that would improve environmental compliance within their organisations.
She added that LASEPA’s ultimate goal was to build a culture where industries complied with environmental standards voluntarily rather than solely because of enforcement.
The workshop brought together chemical handlers, manufacturers, environmental experts, regulators and other stakeholders to discuss safe chemical management and environmental protection.
F.O
Tags: Chemical handlers Embrace self regulation LASEPA