The Divisional Police Officer of Mowe division, CSP Folake Afeniforo has mediated in the crisis that rocked Orimerunmu town in Obafemi Owode Local Government of Ogun State.
The community on Monday morning erupted in protest against Capital Waves Nigeria Ltd., believable owned by international businessman, Tajudeen Abioye, demanding social responsibility from the company accused of causing monumental damages on the community’s main road.
Tension in Orimerunmu as residents move to salvage damaged community road from sand dredgers
In defence of allegations of not performance of their corporate social responsibilities to host communities, Capital Waves Ltd. aka OG BAMS Ltd. represented by Mr. Taiwo Abioye, the Group MD of the company revealed that as at 2014, the company has spent about N200m on projects in their host communities some of which he listed as electrification project from Federal junction in Orimerunmu to Amu community where the dredging site is located as well as solely hiring an excavator for the Michael Akinfolarin led Orimerunmu Area CDC throughout the digging of drainage and expansion work on Orimerunmu town in 2016.
While pleading for cooperation and understanding from the people of Orimerunmu, Abioye said that the company has continuously maintained the roads in all the communities where they are operating and would continue to be socially responsible in their relationship with their host communities.
Orimerunmu community suspends week long protest after police intervention
At the meeting presided over by CSP Afeniforo, spokesmen for the community, Comrade Hakeem Alagbala and Engr. Edward Makinwa briefed the attendees made up of representatives of the Baale-in-council, residents and representatives of the dredging companies, about steps in progress towards a lasting solution on the deplorable condition of the road.
A plan on the process of tarring the road from Total Filling Station to Federal junction was presented was presented as well as an approved survey plan, engineering design and letter of approval from Ogun State government was also unveiled.
A provisional estimate was also tabled a proviso that the actual and final estimate will be determined by the an enlarged stakeholders forum made up of all corporate organisations and residents of Orimerunmu after all certified documents on the road construction have been obtained.
At the meeting, it was agreed that:
1. That both short term and long term solution to the road be proferred by the stakeholders.
2. That a joint meeting of all the stakeholders represented be held to bring on board other stakeholders who are yet to be represented to discuss the long term solution to Orimerunmu road.
3. That a mini team comprising representatives from each of the stakeholders present be constituted immediately at the meeting (which had been done) to work on the immediate palliative measure.
4. The dredging company has agreed to start with 20 loads of truck or more for the filling which is to commence on 30/08/23 subject to the review of its impact by the committee .
5. That nobody henceforth should approach any individual or group of people to embark on any project on the road without involving all the stakeholders listed above.
6. That no individual or group of people should henceforth harass, intimidate and or stop the stakeholders while carrying on developmental projects on the road and in the entire community. The Baale in Council were urged to work on this area in relation to the indigenes/youths.
Palliative works on the road has since commenced.
