FG begs 222 families affected by cement coy’s environmental pollution in Ogun state

The Federal Government, yesterday, appealed to members of the 222 families affected by the quarry activities of Lafarge Cement Company in Akinbo village, Ewekoro local government area of Ogun State.

The Director of Mines Environmental Compliance Department from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Engr. Adegboyega Salam said this while addressing the indigenes of the village after an on-the-spot assessment made to the village in a report Received by VoiceAirMedia at the venue.

Salam said: “We heard about the complaints by Akinbo community in respect of the activities of Lafarge Cement Company. Their complaint is that, there are a lot of environmental issues which bothered on non-compliance with the agreement signed in respect of the relocation of the community.

“I cannot make much comment until I have heard from the company.
The company will tell us their own position on the allegations made. We are going to meet and deliberate on the issues and come up with a solution that will be acceptable to all the parties.”

“The Federal Government, however, expects the people of Akinbo village to be patient; government will look into their issues and make sure that justice is done.”
Residents and community leaders of Akinbo village, have being at loggerheads with management of the Cement Company over its non-compliance with the Community Development Agreement it reached with the community since year 2012.

Leadership of the Community which included the village head, Dr. Rasheed Balogun had accused the cement company of violating the 3KM habitation non-encroachment which was signed with the community.
Balogun said: “Non-compliance of the cement company with the MoU compelled us , the host community, to forward a petition to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development over our plight.”