The Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee has urged Epe fish farmers and a dredging firm located at that axis, Renecon Limited, to embrace peace in the ongoing dispute between them over the deaths of fish in Epe ponds.
This comes following allegations in a viral social media video by Tilapia fish farmers in Epe, that the activities of Renecon were responsible for the deaths of the fish in the Ebute Afuye Cluster in the Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The Chairman of MIREMCO, Mr Sesan Olanrewaju, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Tuesday, noted that the meeting was aimed at addressing the concerns raised by both parties and finding a mutually acceptable solution.
Recall that The PUNCH reported that a viral video making the rounds showed fish farmers lamenting a massive 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.
Earlier, the Agbon of Epe, High Chief Dada Yesiru, said that the government had issued a directive urging all parties to resume work pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
He stated 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.
Speaking on behalf of the dredgers, the President of the Dredgers Association of Nigeria, Mr Akpomejero Batare, emphasised the need for a scientific investigation to determine the cause of the fish mortality.
“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.