The Kwara government has assured of adequate protection for animals and humans following the death of livestock from fumigation at Olam Grains, Ogbodonroko area of Asa local government.

This is contained in a statement by Okanlawon Taiwo, spokeswoman for the ministry of environment in Ilorin.

According to the statement, some animals died from fumigation carried out on Olam’s premises.

It stated that the commissioner for environment, Remilekun Banigbe, gave the assurance when she led a team on an inspection visit to the company, to ascertain the level of damage caused.

“She explained that the cause of death of the animals would be investigated thoroughly, to forestall future occurrence. She told the Mogaji of Ogbodonroko land, Alhaji Ibrahim Babatunde Ajape, that the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is concerned about the well-being of all the people in Kwara,” said the statement.

It added, “She reiterated that Governor AbdulRazaq wants improvement in the standard of living of the people in the state.”

The spokesperson said the community liaison officer, Ibrahim Isiaq, assured that the matter was under control, adding that a meeting had been scheduled with the Olam management team.

“The meeting is to ascertain the cause of the incident and how to resolve the problem amicably, adding that the community had been hosting the company for a long time,” the statement further disclosed. “He explained that the community had benefitted immensely from the company’s operation, so they would try as much as possible to proffer a lasting solution to the problem.”

It also mentioned the commissioner met with the management of Olam and made clarification on the fumigation carried out on their premises.

“She advised that proper investigation should be done on the matter, to know the causes and a comprehensive report should be forwarded to the ministry,” added the statement.

Olam’s HR manager, Solomon Makinde, pointed out that they had met with the community to take adequate measures to address the incident, said the statement.

“Makinde promised that an autopsy will be conducted to know the cause of the animals’ death and a comprehensive report will be submitted to the ministry for further necessary action,” the Kwara government’s statement explained.

(NAN)