Isara Residents Raise Alarm Over Health and Environmental Hazards Linked to Quarry Operations
Residents of Isara community in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State have called on the state government to urgently step in and regulate quarrying activities in their area, citing worsening road conditions, environmental damage, and serious public health concerns.
The community alleged that the unregulated activities of quarry operators have exposed residents to grave health risks, including asthma, lung-related diseases and skin cancer. They added that continuous air pollution, environmental degradation and the constant movement of heavy-duty trucks have significantly deteriorated living conditions in Isara.
The appeal was made through a formal petition submitted by concerned residents under the platform of the Isara Socioeconomic Vanguard to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Ogun State House of Assembly. The group lamented that despite being the host community, Isara has suffered persistent neglect, intimidation and unfair treatment from quarry companies and their alleged collaborators.
According to the petitioners, quarry operators have allegedly failed to comply with key provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, particularly the requirement to sign a Community Development Agreement with host communities. They warned that continued disregard for environmental and safety regulations could lead to increased cases of respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, loss of arable land and rising food insecurity across Remo North.
The petition, titled “Petition on Indiscriminate Sale of Land for Quarrying Purposes and Illegal Collection of Fees That Go into Private Pockets,” was signed by the chairman of the group, Taiwo Bakare, the secretary, Muyiwa Osifade, and 23 other members.
The group also accused some families of indiscriminately selling land to investors, including foreign nationals, without proper government approval or consideration for environmental impact. They urged the Ogun State Government to intervene and halt such practices.
Additionally, residents complained that the Isara–Ago-Iwoye road has been severely damaged by the continuous movement of heavy trucks servicing the quarry sites. This, they said, has made it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets, leading to spoilage of farm products and a sharp increase in transportation costs.
Among their demands, the community called for an immediate investigation into quarry operations in the Peteku and Odo areas of Isara, strict enforcement of environmental and mining regulations, and a clampdown on illegal fee collection. They also appealed to the government to safeguard the rights, dignity and safety of Isara indigenes and to establish a transparent framework for quarry activities to restore peace and order in the community.
The residents expressed optimism that the Ogun State Government would give the petition the urgent attention it deserves.
