OGHA DIRECTS OJIBAS NIGERIA LTD, I.J. AMAKA TO SUSPEND MINING OPERATIONS OVER ROAD, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION



The Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Environment has directed Ojibas Nigeria Limited and I.J. Amaka Group of Companies at Elegan Progressive Community in Obafemi Owode Local Government, to suspend their operations forthwith, following a petition over alleged illegal mining operations and environmental degradation.

The Committee members led by the Chairman, Hon. Samisudeen Lawal, carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the mining sites in response to the petition addressed to the Speaker of the House titled: “Petition Against Illegal Mining Operations of Alhaji Tajudeen Abioye of Ojibas Nigeria Limited and I.J. Amaka Group of Companies and the Cruel Degradation of Elegan Communal Road and Environment,” and was jointly signed by residents of Elegan Progressive Community.

Receiving the Committee, a representative of Ojibas Nigeria Limited, Mr. Oluwaseun Ogunlowo, denied the allegation of illegal mining, insisting that the company possessed the necessary licence and certifications from relevant agencies.

 He explained that the company had consistently carried out palliative works on the communal road, but blamed recent disagreements on the community’s insistence that Ojibas alone should bear the responsibility for the road maintenance.

Ogunlowo also alleged that the community imposed multiple levies on trucks, sometimes amounting to ₦11,500 per vehicle.

In his response, the Chairman of Elegan Progressive Community, Mr. Ayodele Fakile, countered the claim, stating that the community only operates two levy collection points of ₦1,000 each, totaling ₦2,000 daily.

 He said that the levies were mainly used to maintain the road, while an agreement with Ojibas and I.J. Amaka stipulated that the road would be graded twice yearly with contributions from truck drivers.

Responding to the claims made by both parties, the House Committee directed the companies to suspend their operations for now, and directed them to appear before the House on October 2, 2025, with their full management teams alongside all relevant licences and certificates. 

The Committee also invited the community heads and CDA chairmen from Elegan, while extending an invitation to the officials from the Ministry of Solid Minerals to be part of the hearing.

Hon. Lawal stressed that the Assembly remained committed to safeguarding the environment and ensuring that mining operations in the state did not endanger the lives and livelihoods of the host communities.

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