No EIA conducted before destruction of Ogunpa forest reserve, coalition tackles Oyo government

A coalition of environmental organisations has challenged the Oyo state government’s claim that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was carried out before the destruction of the Ogunpa forest reserve to create space for a luxury estate.

TheCable’s investigation exposed how state governors are destroying conservation centres and turning them into upscale residential areas despite the risks it poses to the environment.

In the story, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, the Oyo state commissioner for lands, housing, and urban development, had told TheCable that the government’s proposed Baywood Estate in the Ogunpa forest reserve “followed due process”.

The commissioner claimed that an EIA was conducted before the project began and that the outcome was “favourable.” However, he couldn’t provide a copy of the EIA or further details about its content.

In a rebuttal issued on Saturday and signed by Oladipo Olasope, Joseph Onoja, Fatsuma Olaleru, and Rosalie Ann Modder-Oyefeso, the coalition made up of environmental organisations across the country said the commissioner’s claim was false.

The organisations are the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Nigeria Tropical Biology Association (NTBA), Nigerian Society for Conservation Biology (NSCB), Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation, Biodiversity Preservation Centre (BPC), Wildlife Society of Nigeria (WISON), Development Agenda (DA), JAVS Environmental Care Ltd., Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Save Sahara Network (SSN).

Others are The Save our Green Spaces Group, Coalition for Biodiversity Conservationists of Nigeria (CBCN), West African Conservation Network (WACN), Sustainability and Conservation Education for Rural Areas (SCERA), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Forest Center, Biodiversity Conservation Club, University of Ibadan; Nigerian Institute of Architects, Oyo State Chapter; Bodija Estate Residents’ Association (BERA), SAN Great Green Wall of Africa (GGWoA), Cooperation for Accelerating Sustainable Development on Africa (CASDA), and Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST).

“This statement by the Commissioner can only be false and a gross misrepresentation of the facts. We are surprised that after several adjournments in court, the state government and Baywood Infrastructure and the NESREA have been unable to produce the EIA Report in court. As stakeholders, we were not consulted, and there was no publication in the media as required by law,” the organisations said.

“According to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, all major projects, including those that affect the environment, must be supported by an appropriate EIA. The Act also mandates public participation and consultation with stakeholders.

“This trend of converting conservation centres to luxury estates for the rich must be checked because of its negative social and environmental consequences. We demand that the government provide evidence of the alleged EIA, including the report and all supporting documents. We also call on the government to halt all activities on the Ogunpa Forest Reserve and reverse the destruction by planting new trees.

“The Save Ogunpa Forest Group will continue to advocate for the protection of our environment and the preservation of our natural heritage. We urge all concerned citizens to join us in this fight.”