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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Ogun State House of Assembly has ordered the arrest and compulsory appearance of the managing director of a mining company operating in the state over alleged environmental degradation.
The lawmakers specifically directed the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, to produce the managing director of the company to answer questions on the allegations of environmental degradation and activities posing serious threats to the lives and livelihoods of residents of the Elegan Progressive Community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.
The order followed a resolution of the House after the adoption of a report by the Committee on Environment, which exposed how the company’s mining operations had purportedly caused extensive environmental damage, including the destruction of roads, water sources and farmlands.
The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, while issuing the warrant during plenary, invoked the powers conferred on the legislature under Section 129(1)(d) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
He consequently directed the Ogun State Commissioner of Police to execute the warrant and ensure that the company’s Managing Director is produced before the House without delay.
According to the Speaker, the decision became necessary after the company repeatedly ignored several invitations from the House to appear before the Committee on Environment to defend himself against the allegations.
“No one is above the law. The Ogun State House of Assembly will continue to stand for justice and defend the rights of the people. We are determined to hold anyone accountable, no matter how highly placed, for actions that destroy our environment or threaten human lives,” he declared.
Meanwhile, residents of the Elegan Progressive Community, led by Pastor Samuel Fadeyinoluwa, staged a peaceful protest at the Assembly Complex, demanding urgent government’s intervention to stop further environmental degradation allegedly caused by the mining company.
The protesters said the affected communities include Abisodun, Adeolu, Oke-Odo, Oluwo Osin, Aiyetoro, Age, Ajerogun and Bisodun. They lamented the severe impact of illegal mining on their farmlands, water sources and infrastructure.
Elemide, who addressing the protesters, told them that the Assembly, through its Committee on Environment, already commenced full legislative action to ensure justice and restoration in the affected areas.
