Residents of Isara community in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to the state government and relevant regulatory agencies to urgently regulate quarry activities in the area, warning that unchecked operations are exposing them to serious health risks, including asthma, lung complications and skin cancer.
The residents, under the aegis of the Isara Socioeconomic Vanguard, made the appeal in a petition dated Thursday and addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Ogun State House of Assembly.
They lamented that despite hosting several quarry firms, the community had suffered neglect, intimidation and environmental degradation, with no tangible benefits from the companies’ operations.
According to the petition, signed by the group’s chairman, Taiwo Bakare, its secretary, Muyiwa Osifade, and 23 other concerned residents, Isara is grappling with severe air pollution, damaged farmlands and deteriorating roads caused by heavy-duty trucks operating day and night.
The group accused quarry operators of flouting the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, particularly the requirement to execute Community Development Agreements with host communities.
“For several years, our community has suffered utter neglect, intimidation and unfair treatment at the hands of quarry operators and their collaborators. Despite being the host community, Isara has not meaningfully benefitted from the activities of the quarry companies,” the petition read.
They warned that continued failure to regulate the activities of the quarries could result in a surge in respiratory and skin-related diseases, as well as long-term environmental damage and food insecurity in Remo North.
The residents further decried the indiscriminate sale of land by some families to investors, including foreign nationals, without due consideration for environmental impact, urging the state government to enforce strict approval processes through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
They also lamented the deplorable condition of the Isara–Ago-Iwoye road, which they said had been destroyed by quarry trucks, making it increasingly difficult and costly for farmers to transport their produce to markets.
“This is impacting food security in the local government. Most farm produce gets spoiled before transportation is secured, and when vehicles eventually come, the cost is exorbitant,” the petition added.
The group also alleged that some individuals were illegally collecting unauthorised levies from trailer drivers, an act they described as provocative and harmful to the local economy.
They called on the governor to investigate the alleged illegal printing of receipts and collection of unauthorised fees, ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and Community Development Agreements, and protect the rights and safety of Isara indigenes.
The residents expressed confidence that the petition would receive urgent attention from the state government, stressing that decisive action was needed to restore peace, protect public health and safeguard the environment in the community.
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