By Fatima Muraina

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The Ondo State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Cooperative Services, Pastor Olusegun Ayerin, has called for peace at Ondo Linyi Industrial Hub in Omotosho, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Ayerin, speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting involving representatives of Linyl Industrial Hub and Omotosho Community in Akure, stated that the meeting was convened at the instance of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to address community complaints.

In a statement released and signed by Mrs. Adewumi Aderonke, Press Officer to the Ministry, the Commissioner assured investors of adequate security for their lives and properties, emphasising that meaningful development could only take place in a peaceful environment.

He expressed the State Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, stressing that the people of Omotosho also deserved a conducive environment.

The traditional ruler of the community, the Onidere of Omotosho, Oba Akinwe Balogun, raised concerns about the company’s production of massive industrial waste, which he claimed was harmful to the health of humans and livestock in the community.

He emphasised the need to mitigate the effects of the waste for the well-being of the community while allowing the company to continue its operations.

Akinwe noted that the company was planning to build gas and petrochemical plants, which could further increase environmental pollution in the community.

He criticised the company for not having plans to address the existing problems and for intending to create more.

The traditional ruler also stated that the community requested the company to undertake corporate social responsibilities, including providing electricity, health facilities, a police station, loans for women, stipends for the traditional ruler, and employment opportunities for youth.

The Special Adviser on Environment, Dr. Adeyemi Olayemi, commented that if the waste did not affect the community, there would be no need for complaints to be lodged with the Ministry.

The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Toyin Oni, urged both parties to embrace peace, asserting that development could only occur in a peaceful environment.