Group Accuses Traditional Ruler of Illegal Dredging in Epe, Seeks Sanwo-Olu’s Intervention
A group under the auspices of Concerned Elders of Epe has called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently curtail the indiscriminate dredging of the urban areas in Epe area of the state by the Oloja of Epe land, Oba Kamourudeen Animasuan.
The group also urged state government to take over the illegal dredging site immediately for the purpose of using same for its original purpose of jetty as earlier planned.
In a statement issued by Alabi Adebayo, the group stated that the illegal dredging of sand along Oluwo Fish Market, opposite the Jubilee Charlet in Epe, was “disheartening” to the residents of that vicinity.
It added that residents are being threatened with everyday presence of heavy duty trucks plying the road to the illegal dredging site.
The group stated that when confronted, the Oloja of Epe land, Oba Animasuan allegedly boasted that '’he is the owner of Epe” and that any road user who is not pleased with the illegal dredging should leave his town”.
The traditional ruler was also claimed to have said nobody, not even the governor can stop him from continuous dredging on that land.
"When we had the privilege to have a one-on-one meeting with the Oloja of Epe, we informed him that the land belongs to the Lagos State Government and the dredging is already an endemic to the residents of that area.
“He fumed and stated that nobody, not even the governor can stop him from continuous dredging on that land. He said further that he is the owner of Epe, any road user who is not pleased with the illegal dredging should leave his town.
"Hence, we concluded that the Oba probably has some backing beyond the control of the governor, that has made him to be so confident, to the extent that, even the Governor cannot stop the illegal dredging activities on that said land.
“We were even told that the Oba is always fond of making such statement, denigrating the person of our revered governor in the public", the statement added.
The group urged Sanwo-Olu to take decisive steps towards curbing the menace and illegal activities of the Epe paramount ruler so as to repose trust and confidence in the people that the governor was not in support of illegality.
"This is also a clarion call on Your Excellency to dissociate yourself from this paramount ruler who usually casts aspersion on the personality of the governor at the slightest opportunity that he has the governor in his pocket.
“You must take decisive steps towards curbing the menace and illegal activities of this Epe paramount ruler so as to repose trust and confidence in the people that you are not in support of illegality. For the umpteenth time, a stitch in time, saves nine,” the group warned.
It noted that it was important to inform the governor for the purpose of record that, when the road infrastructure in that axis becomes dilapidated, the illegal revenue or proceeds currently allegedly being enjoyed on daily basis by Animashaun cannot be enough to ensure maintenance or rehabilitation.
"We therefore join all the residents and the people of Epe to call for the intervention of the Governor of Lagos State to stop the stray of Oba Animashaun from the continuous illegal dredging.
“The governor should ensure that the state government takes over the illegal dredging site immediately for the purpose of using same for its original purpose of jetty as projected by the previous administrators of the state.
“This is so that you can take and enjoy the credit of putting a jetty in that axis and putting a stop to the potential environmental threat the illegal dredging poses to the people of that axis and the community in general," the group said.