‘Toxic chemicals pollute rivers, threaten lives, livelihoods in Oyo communities (II)’ 6 November 2022

On one side of Kayode Ogundayomi’s expansive farmland lay heaps of rotten cucumbers harvested as waste, while on the other side were mounds of sprouting, perforated cabbage leaves that have lost their greenery. The commercial vegetable farmer was livid with rage as he walked hands akimbo through his farm, inspecting the ruins that were once a stretch of flourishing vegetation. Intermittently, a hiss would escape his mouth. All the spoils on Ogundayomi’s farm are evidence of the devastating impact of the environmental pollution caused by the soap-making chemical spillage that occurred weeks back… Also in close proximity to the spillway are acres of land owned by a group of farmers, and like Ogundayomi, they also cultivate different types of edible vegetables in large quantities, which they supply to retailers across the state and beyond.

…While detailing steps taken to identify those that should be held responsible for their losses, the vegetable farmers accused the state government and the Oyo State Police Command of abandoning them to their fate. One of them, Solomon Adetoye, said when it was discovered that the bubble had taken over their farms, they immediately reported the development to the Rehab Police Station, which is the nearest…Adetoye said concerted efforts made by the farmers’ cooperative society to locate the owner of the chemicals and the logistics company responsible for conveying the irons, proved abortive.

…When the lawyer representing Medlog logistics driver in court, Emmanuel Oluwayemi, was contacted to find out steps being taken to compensate the affected farmers, he claimed to have been contracted to handle only the case. He said all inquiries should be directed to the company. On his part, Medlog’s Customer Care Manager, Oluwaseun Falope, promised to revert on the issue when contacted only to backtrack two days later. “They said no one should talk about it”, he told PUNCH Investigations. Meanwhile, the management of Aspira Nigeria Limited refused to clarify its ownership of the NNPC truck.