With the intervention of Epe LGA Chairman, Hon. Princess Surah Animashaun and the Oloja of Epe, HRM Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, into the fish farmers and dredgers issue, Lagos State government has sent delegates comprising different ministries and departments to collectively investigate and resolve the issue amicably.
Recall that on March 15, 2024, a viral video of Epe Tilapia fish farmers in Ebute Afuye, under the Agro-processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Support Project of the Ministry of Agriculture, trended on social media, where the farmers lamented massive loss as a result of the dredging activities of Reneco limited, a dredging company.
To calm tensions, the state government in a swift response issued a stop-work order to the drilling company.
Thereafter, departments like Lasepa, the Ministry of Agriculture and a host of others sent their officials separately to probe the incident.
However, due to the concerns raised by Epe Chairman and Kabiesi on the matter, an Inter-ministerial team led by the Chairman of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), Mr Sesan Olanrewaju, has been raised comprising of representatives from the Federal Ministry of Mines, State Ministry of Environment, State Ministry of Agriculture, Lasepa, Water Front, State Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, and Surveyor General’s Office.
While paying homage to the Kabiesi, the team said they were on ground to collectively investigate and find lasting solution to the ongoing dispute between fish farmers and the drilling company, in response to the concerns of stakeholders in the LGA.
Speaking to fish farmers led by the Iyaloja of Oluwo fish market, Alhaja Adeola Giwa, at Ebute Afuye fish processing cluster, Mr Sesan said their mission was to hold a stakeholders meeting where parties would be enjoined to shealth their sword and return to work pending the outcome of their ongoing investigation.
He further stated that the ministry responsible for overseeing the matter had assured parties concerned that their grievances would be addressed fairly and without bias as investigation is underway.
The Chairman of Epe LGA was ably represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Owolomoshe Sikiru, the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Rahmon Saheed and the Supervisor for Environment, Hon. Odupe Fuad Tunde.
