In a distressing turn of events, kakalistiq.com reports that executives of the Ora Community Development Association (CDA) in Eredo LCDA, Epe Division of Lagos State, have issued a desperate plea to the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) following concerns about environmental degradation and health hazards in the area.
The call for urgent intervention comes after a recent visit by the Environmental Services Team of Eredo LCDA to MAG Protein Company on March 22, 2024. As a precautionary measure, residents in Phases 6, 7, 8, and beyond have been advised against consuming or using borehole water until a thorough water analysis is conducted. The company has been officially sealed pending further investigations.
Video footage obtained by our news medium captured heated exchanges between members of the CDA and officials of MAG Protein Company. Accusations of environmental degradation, including the channelling of waste to main roads and the emission of toxic substances such as ammonia, have heightened concerns among residents. Some even attributed mysterious deaths in the community to these alleged hazards.
Expressing their fears, a resident emphasized the need for immediate action from regulatory agencies, questioning the impact assessment and suitability of an industrial facility in a residential area. Another resident lamented about constant illnesses, highlighting the deteriorating health conditions within the community.
“They can not be making their money and killing our people in this community. You need to see how much we spend on the treatment of health; enough is enough. LASEPA, or all agencies responsible for health, must come and visit this place now unless they want to wipe out the whole Ora community.
“Anybody sponsoring this company should come and stay in this place for 1 or 2 hours and see if they will not die if they do not spend a huge amount on their health. This is just terrible, terribly bad, and wickedness of the highest order.
“We want to see evidence of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before they approve this company here. This is a residential and not an industrial area, why must they pollute the environment for us all the time,” one of the residents questioned.
Findings show that MAG Protein Nigeria Limited, identified as the manufacturer of NatMeal, NatPop, and NatSoil made from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens), has touted its achievements and growth in recent years. Managing Director George C. Thorpe, in one of the posts found on their LinkedIn profile, showcased the company’s milestones in larvae production and expansion into various markets, emphasizing the potential of insects as an alternative ingredient in the global food and feed value chain.
The outcry from the Ora community underscores the urgent need for regulatory bodies to investigate and address the alleged environmental and health hazards posed by MAG Protein Company. Failure to intervene promptly could escalate tensions and jeopardize the well-being of residents, highlighting the critical importance of ensuring strict adherence to environmental regulations and safety standards in industrial operations.
