We’ll not condone environmental depletion – Ogun govt.

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Ogun State government has declared that it will not condone any industrialists whose activities pose a threat to the lives of the host communities and the people of the state at large.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Ayo Olubori stated this at a meeting called at the instance of his Ministry to broker peace between a community in the state and a cement company, Lafarge WAPCO Cement Company.

The affected communities are Olapeleke community in Ewekoro local government area of the state.

It would be recalled that a national daily, had on Saturday 6 September 2014 published an article titled, “Inside the water lands of Ewekoro and Olapeleke”, in which farmers in both communities had blamed the cement company of being responsible for their dwindling fortunes due to the operations of the company in the communities.

Olubori stated that, although government is interested in industrialising the State, it would not indulge any industries whose activities are counter productive.

He added that government would always ensure that the environment is safe for all and sundry to live in.

“We had an on the spot assessment based on the claims of the newspaper report and could not ascertain the facts of the case in our visit. As a step forward, we invited the community leaders led by the Baale of Olapeleke and the management of Lafarge for a dialogue. As the government regulatory agency, saddled with the primary responsibility in making sure that our environment is safe for all of us to live in.

“Until this is finally resolved, government would act as a mediator between Lafarge WAPCO and Olapeleke community basically because Ogun state government does not want a replica of the South–South experience. We don’t want militancy or any unfriendly atmosphere in Ogun state. Today its Olapeleke, tomorrow it could be another community,” he said.

Olubori further explained that government through the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) on routine basis, would conduct inspection visits to industries operating within the state to ensure that they operate within the permissible environmental standards.

“I want to assure all the communities in Ogun state that the government would not allow any industry to impact negatively on the communities. Yes, we want industries, we want them to come to Ogun state, but in as much as we want more of them in Ogun state, we don’t want irresponsible use of the environment at any point in time,” Olubori posited.

In his response, General Manager, Independent Power Production, Lafarge WAPCO Cement Industry, Mr. Lanre Opakunle appreciated the efforts of the government for acting as a mediator between the company and the communities and for ensuring that peace and harmony prevail within the locality.

Opakunle further stated that Lafarge through its Community Relation Committee, would come up with a resolution that would be favourable to both the company and the community.

Reacting on behalf of the community, the Baale of Olapaleke, Chief Adisa Akinremi lauded the gesture of the state government for its timely intervention in ensuring that there is peaceful co-existence between various industries and their host communities.