By Abdullahi Lukman
Residents of Excellent Estate in Igboloye, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, have raised alarms over alleged environmental pollution caused by a tyre recycling company, Terra Aqua Ltd.
The residents are calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, citing serious health and environmental risks posed by the company’s activities.
In a joint statement issued on May 2, 2025, by the chairman and secretary of the Excellent Estate Residents Association, Pastor Chidi Ulelu and Alhaja Badmus, the community expressed concern about the company’s operations, which they claim involve burning tyres to produce syngas and black oil.
The process reportedly releases toxic hydrocarbons into the air, land, and water, causing respiratory problems, environmental degradation, and even fatalities.
“Whenever the company operates, it emits an asphyxiating, pungent odor, leading to shortness of breath among residents.
On several occasions, harmful smoke has been released, and a devastating fire broke out in January 2025 from a pile of hundreds of thousands of tyres stored at the facility,” the statement noted.
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The residents also highlighted their ongoing efforts to address the issue.
They stated that in May 2023, they petitioned the Ogun State Ministry of Environment to intervene, as the company was allegedly operating illegally. Although the ministry initially shut down the company, it reportedly resumed operations soon after, prompting multiple follow-up petitions, protests, and direct appeals to the governor’s office.
Despite promises from the government to address the matter, the company reportedly resumed its activities again just last week, prompting the community to take action by peacefully halting operations.
The residents allege that the company has resorted to intimidation, using security agencies to harass community leaders.
In response to the allegations, the Managing Director of Terra Aqua Ltd, Mr. Salako, denied the claims, stating that the company does not pollute the environment. “There is no truth in the allegations. My company does not emit any effluent into the air or discharge wastewater into the community,” he said.
Salako also claimed that he had reported the
residents’ protest to the police, accusing them of damaging company property and assaulting workers.
The situation has raised serious concerns about the company’s compliance with environmental regulations and its impact on the local community’s health. Residents are now urging Governor Dapo Abiodun to take swift and decisive action to prevent further harm.
