Mining Company Has Made Us Blind, Hypertensive, Landlords Lament In Osun
Landlords and residents of Ilode Area, in Ile-Ife, have lamented the effect of mining operations in the area.
The Chairman of the Landlords Association of Olopo 11, Mr Olafare Olarotimi, added that “the power from bumming has adverse effect on their health such as blindness, hypertension, blocking of flowing of water which led to erosion”.
He called on Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Federal Government to come to their aids by relocating them from mining area to safety site.
He made the appeal while briefing pressmen during their protest, on Monday, in Ile-Ife.
Olarotimi said that MARSS mining company and NASAUDE international mining company limited were involved in excavating precious stones called Tarmaline in the community.
He said, “All houses in the area are affected by collapsing, cracking of walls, destroying the roofing among others.
“Majority of us have relocated our aged parents to safety areas, for our lives and properties are no longer safe in this area.
“Anytime we are leaving home, our children must follow us, for we are not assure of any harzard that might have occured, house might have falls or cracked before we come back.”
Olarotimi stated further that the community has written letter to the office of Osun Commissioner of Police, Mr Olufemi Oyeleye, President Ife Development Board (IDB), Prof Muibi Opeloye among others, but yielded no positive result.
He, therefore, warned the two companies to vacate the land and allow them to leave in peace or government to relocate them, for the companies to have full access to the mining work.
He added, “We are for peace and harmony and we pledged our hundred support to the government on mining of Tarmaline and other mineral resources in our vicinity, for our nation needs it to boost the economy.
” But at the same time, government should expedite our relocation on the interest of saving our lives and properties, for the bumbing has caused environmental and health hazard, heavy erosion among others to our families.”
Also, one of the affected landlords, Mr Benson Adewoyin, lamented the collapse of hi building and condemned the lackasidal attitude of the companies towards their souls.
” When these people visited my resident and view the effect of the bumbing, they promised paying me N2 million, but only 200,000 was given which cannot repair half of their destruction,” he complained.
Meanwhile, a Septuagenarian, Mr Adeniji Akinola also lamented the lost of sight through the flame of the bumbing.
In an emotional laden voice, he said, “I was not born blind, but became blinded through the power of the bumbing.
“I regretted building my house in this community, now I cannot see again neither be able to work or do anything on my own
“Am appealing to the state and federal government to come to our aids in rescuing us from the hands of the powerful ones and save our souls, for we are dieing.
All efforts to speak with the manager and workers of the two mining companies proved abortive.
Calls put across to the official contacts of the company didn’t also go through.
