Following the disputes between Renecon Limited, a dredging firm located around Epe Axis and Fish Farmers situated in that same region, over the death of fishes in Epe ponds, the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee has asked both parties to allow tranquility prevail between them.
On Tuesday, Mr Sesan Olanrewaju, the Chairman of MIREMCO, declared this at the stakeholders meeting in Lagos, that the meeting was aimed at showing the concerns raised by both parties and finding a mutually acceptable solution.
From the news gathered, the fish farmer worried about loss of revenue as many of their Tilapia fish allegedly died as a result of dredging activities being carried out close to their fish farms.
Meanwhile, High Chief Dada Yesiru, the Agbon of Epe, stated that he had issued a directive asking all parties to resume work pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
He also noted that the ministry responsible for overseeing the matter had assured parties concerned that their grievances would be addressed fairly.
“The government has asked everyone to return to work pending the outcome of the report of the investigation. The ministry knows exactly what to do. They have pleaded with Renecon and the fish farmers, assuring that both sides would be sorted out. When the result of the investigation is out, we will know who is faulty,” Yesiru declared.
Mr Akpomejero Batare, the President of the Dredgers Association of Nigeria stressed the need for a scientific investigation to examine the cause of the fish death.
“We came here to resolve a dispute between the fishermen in Epe and one of our operators, who is also the national treasurer of our association. It is very normal for the exchange of blame, but we are before the government and we have requested that they do a scientific investigation because this has to do with the poisoning of the water, toxicity or all others.
“They are all scientific issues and the investigation should be devoid of sentiments. We believe that justice will be done. We have a dialogue with the representatives of the government, we believe in them, and at the end of the day, justice will be done,” Batare explained.
