The Kwara State Government today sealed off the China Kaidi Quarry site along the Ilorin-Ogbomoso road due to significant concerns over the safety of Kwarans living in the area and environmental compliance.
The decision to seal off the quarry site follows the inspection carried out by the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) on the company, where numerous safety violations were discovered, including the absence of essential safety equipment for workers, inadequate training programmes, and insufficient measures to prevent accidents.
Besides, environmental concerns were equally raised, such as the lack of proper reclamation procedures and non-compliance with essential environmental permits and licences.
The sealing off of the quarry site further underscores the state government’s commitment to prioritise the well-being of Kwarans and protect the environment from potential harm caused by mining activities.
Following an earlier inspection visit to the quarry site a fortnight ago, the state government expressed deep reservations about the adherence to safety protocols and environmental regulations.
The quarry site was believed to have posed a significant risk to the safety and health of the people living in the area and the workers, as well as potential harm to the surrounding ecosystem.
The site sealing off team was led by the State Director of Environment, Mr. Abayomi Idowu, accompanied by other senior staff of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency and members of the Civil Defence Corps.
According to him, “the closure of the quarry site is a necessary step to protect the lives of people living in the area, the workers, and the environment. We cannot compromise on safety and responsible mining practices,”, Idowu said.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
