By Bose Adelaja

UNTIL recently, Madam Aminat Egunjobi lived in Ogunrun-Ori, a community in Pakuro Town, Mowe along the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

She was forced to relocate to another neighbourhood, no thanks to a company which is allegedly emitting hazardous wastes from its plant sited in the community. Apart from the emission of hazardous wastes, the vibrations from the company’s production machines have allegedly led to cracks in most buildings located at Kehinde Adewunmi Street where the company is domiciled.

Environmental agencies

Bone of contention… Black oil waste from the company

Vanguard Features, VF, learnt that the owner of the company, simply identified as Austin, in a bid to have the company domiciled in the area, allegedly compromised some land owners and environmental agencies saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and if possible, stopping the operations of the company.

Madam Aminat is not alone in the forcible relocation. Another resident of the area, who identified herself as Tiwalola Aborisade told VF that some residents fear that they may be attacked by land grabbers for not cooperating with the industrialist who hails from the Eastern part of the country.

A resident who could not afford the money needed for relocation, wept profusely while narrating her plight to VF. ‘’Look at the grey hairs on my head. I would have relocated but I could not raise the funds to do so. The land grabbers asked us to vacate the community if we are not satisfied with Austin’s gesture. My children are not buoyant enough to relocate and I cannot force them. I am ready to die but what about my children?’’ she queried.

How trouble started: Austin was alleged to have smuggled his investment into the community with the connivance of some land grabbers. He was said to have deceived the residents into believing that the company was a warehouse. But in July 2013, when the company carried out the pre-test of its facilities, thick smoke was said to have enveloped the entire community. This development attracted the ire of some community leaders who reportedly called the industrialist to order. But the development led to the closure of a nursery school in the neighbourhood as the parents could not guarantee the health safety of the children.

Safety of the children

The company, which residents claim to be an aluminium melting facility, does not have a signpost to know its true identity. Situated at the main entrance into the street, the company which has very high walls, emits hazardous and irritating black oil wastes. The wastes have destroyed all aquatic life within the vicinity.

In a bid to perpetrate his dubious activities, Mr Austin allegedly became a philanthropist. Apart from assisting some landlords with funds to complete their houses, Austin allegedly assisted in building a church in the community.

But some residents who could not be bought over by Austin’s antics petitioned the South West Zonal office of the National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, to look into the operations of the company.

Aggrieved residents

The agency returned a verdict of not guilt and this did not go down well with the aggrieved residents who alleged that officials of the agencies have been induced with pecuniary rewards.

NESREA reacts: In response to a petition by Mr Dayo Sanya who resides in the community, Mr O.O Sode, an engineer, insisted that the company was not polluting the environment. The letter which was dated February 5, 2015, claimed that the property was acquired in year 2010 when few residential buildings were in the community.

The facility is said to be occupying only a plot of land from where it is operating its manufacturing facility.

Hazardous smoke from the company

NESREA acknowledged the fact that poor handling of spent oil was observed around the facility, while cracks were noticed on the adjacent building to the facility.

But he was quick to point out that the facility is engaged in some corporate social responsibilities.

NESREA, however, made the following recommendations which are yet to be adhered to by the company:

*’Construction of a bund wall with a concrete base (floor) around the diesel storage tanks within 30 days.

*Carry out an assessment of the vibration and forward report to the agency within one month.

*Deploy a sound proof generator to the facility to be operational at night.

Attempts by VF to speak to the management of the company was rebuffed. VF was rather referred to the Ministry of Environment and NESREA. “Both the State and Federal Ministries of the Environment have visited and approved our operation. Is it a group or an individual that has sent you? Anyway, go and get the necessary information from the Ministries; I am sure you will be satisfied,’’ the man who claimed to be the General Manager told VF on phone.