Residents of Ewekoro in the Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State,are facing a dire health crisis as they grapple with the hazardous effects of cement dust particles emitted by Lafarge Africa Plc, a prominent cement manufacturing company.
Expressing grave concern over the deteriorating situation, the community residents have decried the lack of safety in their once-thriving neighborhood.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that despite their persistent appeals to the company to take corrective measures, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears of the company’s management .
A recent on-site investigation conducted by PLATFORM TIMES unveiled a distressing sight – numerous homes enveloped in a layer of cement dust particles.
More alarmingly, the source of carbon oxide emissions from the factory’s machinery is located in close proximity to the community, mere meters away.
The head of the community, Ayinde Akintokun expressed frustration over the years of neglect by successive government administrations in the state.
Akintokun painted a bleak picture, revealing that the elderly members of the community have tragically lost their lives due to inhalation of the cement dust particles. “Cement dust is causing harm to our health in this community.
“Anytime the company starts its production, everywhere becomes dusty, and we won’t be able to go out. Our elderly ones are dying from inhaling the dust particles,” Akintokun lamented.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that regrettably, legal recourse has proven elusive for the community.
Previous attempts to hold Lafarge Africa Plc accountable for environmental pollution through litigation were hampered by financial constraints.
The community’s desperate appeal to government bodies at all levels is a plea for salvation from the relentless onslaught of cement dust particles.
Alawode Ajala , a resident of the community, underscored the gravity of the situation by pointing out that local businesses, including a bank and a police station, have been forced to relocate due to the health hazards posed by the dust particles.
She shared, “We used to have a bank and police station in our community, but they have all moved away because of the dangers the dust particles posed to their health.”
Mrs. Gbadebo, the Iyaloja of the community, echoed the concerns of her fellow residents regarding the health risks associated with cement dust particles.
However, she acknowledged that Lafarge had initiated efforts to alleviate the issue by planning to relocate the community to a safer area.
“We are indeed facing challenges with the dust particles in this community, especially as it relates to our health, but I have heard that Lafarge is planning to move us to another community that will be safe for us,” she shared.
Tragedy struck the Fagade family when Muibat Fagade lost her brother to health complications stemming from exposure to the harmful chemicals present in cement dust particles.
She recounted the ordeal, revealing her own battle with health issues caused by the dust. “I am surviving on drugs because the cement dust particles have affected me.
My brother, who was supposed to be the head of the community after the demise of the past head, died in this house when he became sick because of the cement dust particles,” Fagade disclosed.
Despite attempts to seek answers, the firm’s Head of Corporate Communications, Ginika Frank-Durugbor, remained reticent and failed to address the questions raised.
Similarly, Sikiru Adesina, Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government Area, refrained from responding to calls and messages.
The residents of Ewekoro community continue to grapple with the life-threatening consequences of air pollution, pleading for intervention from the authorities and the industry to safeguard their lives and well-being.
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