…calls for Gov. Abiodun, Assembly’s intervention

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

Indigenes and residents of Isara community in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, under the aegis of ‘Isara Socio-Economic Vanguard’, have petitioned Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, over what they described as destructive activities of quarry operators in and around the community.

The group said the unchecked mining activities of the quarry companies has destroyed their roads and is impacting negatively on the health of the residents of the agrarian community.

The petition, jointly signed by the group’s chairman, Mr. Taiwo Bakare, Mr. Soga Oduawo, Mr. Benson Lawal,l and 22 others, accused a politician and quarry operators of illegal collection of levies and environmental degradation in Isara community.

According to the petition submitted to the Governor’s Office and the State House of Assembly, the group alleged that the politician was using his position to deny the community and Remo North Local Government legitimate sources of income and internally generated revenue meant for grassroots development.

“The politician and his accomplices are living larger than life and feeding fat on incomes that should have accrued to the state and Remo North Local Government. The local government chairman, who ordinarily should disallow such corrupt practices, appears helpless,” the petitioners stated.

They further alleged that the individuals involved were intimidating residents and suppressing opposition to their activities, adding that Isara, despite being a host community to several quarry companies, had not benefitted meaningfully from the operations.

“For several years, our community has suffered neglect, intimidation and unfair treatment at the hands of quarry operators and their collaborators. Despite being the host community, Isara has not benefitted from these quarry activities,” they said.

The group also accused the quarry companies of violating provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, by failing to execute Community Development Agreements (CDAs) with Isara as the host community, lamenting that residents were exposed to air pollution, environmental degradation and deplorable roads caused by heavy-duty trucks operating in the area.

“If the activities of the quarries are not properly regulated, we may experience rising cases of asthma, lung and skin cancer, in addition to severe degradation of our arable land and food insecurity in Remo North Local Government,” the petition read.

They noted that the Isara–Ago-Iwoye road had become impassable due to quarrying activities, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to transport produce to markets. According to them, farm produce often spoils before transportation is secured, while haulage costs have skyrocketed when vehicles eventually become available.

The group also called on the state government to sanction families allegedly selling land indiscriminately to Chinese and other investors for quarrying purposes without due consideration for environmental impact. They insisted that such land sales should be subject to approval by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

The petitioners further alleged that unauthorized fees were being collected from trailer drivers, in addition to officially approved government levies, describing the practice as exploitative and a threat to the authority of the Ogun State government.

“The situation has reached a crescendo, and continued silence or inaction may promote social discontent and voter apathy during elections,” they warned.

While reaffirming their loyalty to the Abiodun-led administration, the group demanded a full investigation into quarry operations in the Peteku and Odo areas, prosecution of illegal levy collectors, enforcement of Community Development Agreements and the establishment of a transparent framework to restore peace and protect the dignity of Isara indigenes.

“We are law-abiding citizens who believe strongly in your commitment to justice, fairness and good governance. However, we cannot continue to look the other way while our ancestral land is degraded without any commensurate benefits, as clearly stated in Section 116 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007. We humbly appeal to Your Excellency to intervene,” the petition concluded.