– Report Exonerates Renecon Limited
By Innocent Orok
The conflict of interest between the fish farmers of Epe and Renecon Limited , a dredging company operating in the area was amicably settled on Friday in Lagos office of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Committee (MIREMCO).
The conflict between the two contending parties started last year when several tilapia fishes died and the fish farmers accused Renecon Limited, a dredging firm as the cause. This unfortunate incident has sparked off accusations that required the interventions of all concern agencies of both the Federal and Lagos State government to settle the matter amicably.
In a show of love and cooperation, Renecon Limited on Friday 28th February, 2025 presented a cheque of N5million to the affected fish farmers from Epe LGA at the MIREMCO office, Alausa Lagos State.
In his address at the event, the Chairman, MIREMCO , Lagos State, Hon. Sesan Olanrewaju thank both parties for toying the path of peace. He also thank all agencies of government who intervene to make sure peace is restored to the Epe fishing community.
The MIREMCO chairman, who read the investigative report says , Renecon Limited was exonerated as the cause of the death of fishes in the area.
“Following the conclusion of the investigation by the MIREMCO committee on the above subject matter. we write to inform you that Messrs Renecon Limited, the dredging company alleged to be responsible for the kill, has been cleared by the investigative committee.
“This clearance arises from Laboratory analysis by Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), which clearly showed that only faecal matter was present in the water samples obtained. Secondly, water hyacinth, which formed a green carpet look, contributed largely to the suffocation of the fish. The dredging site was observed to be over 2km from the shoreline.
“Therefore, the death of caged fish was not due to dredging activities. Rather, the death of these fishes is largely attributable to variables like infection from the unkempt marine environment of the cluster, poor water quality, contamination and heating of the Lagoon due to climate change.
“Consequently, in order to create a harmonious working relationship between the dredging company and the concerned stakeholders and fish farmers, Messrs Renecon Limited, through the efforts of MIREMCO after mediation has graciously undertaken to assist with the sum of N5,000,000:00 to sustain the peaceful co-existence between concerned parties and as contribution as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.
“This feat has been achieved through the tireless works of the MIREMCO committee, as it is saddled with conflict resolution amongst other responsibilities. More can be achieved, if the necessary support is given to the committee, and we thank you for your cooperation”, he said.
On his part , the Managing Director of Renecon Limited, Anthony Gbenro Bademosi who spoke through their legal counsel, Ademola Owolabi Eq said:
“Today brings to a close a very unfortunate incident in which every conventional and non-conventional means were deployed against Renecon Limited and its dredging operation at Epe Lagos State.
” In March 2024, there was this unconfirmed news of death of some fishes at the Epe Cottage Fishing Farm in Afuye, Epe. Before any investigation was carried out, government agencies, unfortunately pandering to emotion and public sentiments, attacked Renecon and unleashed unprecedented media assault against Renecon.
‘The press was awashed with cloned and compromised pictures of dead fishes. These damaging pictures were later found to have been culled from oil pollution in Central America! Public opinions were shaped against Renecon, all without any shred of investigation.
“We are happy that our insistence of a thorough investigation was later accepted by Lagos State and today, the result of that investigation has shown that the incident at Epe Fishing Cottage could not have been attributed to dredging activities of Renecon Limited. Even though, the Investigation Report was not given same prominence as the baseless accusation and condemnation of Renecon, we are pleased that truth has prevailed at last.
“We however advise government officials and press officers to be circumspect in taking action and reporting matters. Renecon has unjustly suffered reputational damages due to unsavoury tactics of employing social media to malign us. We are not responsible for the death of fishes at Epe. We do believe that now that the truth is known, relevant agencies will collaborate to remove water hyacinth from the waters so that fishes and fishing can thrive.
“As a mark of support for this initiative, Renecon is contributing the sum of N5,000,000.00 (five million naira) to support sustainable fishing in Epe. This payment is not an admission of liability but as a concerned corporate citizen, it is our belief that Lagos will be better when we all contribute our quota to its development.
“We thank the Hon. Commissioner of Environment, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agencies, the Federal Mines Officer, Chairman and members of the Mineral Resources & Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), the Chairman, Epe Local Government, Princess Surat Animashaun, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe Land, Dredgers Association of Nigeria, High Chief Dada Yesiru, Agbon of Epe Land and our partners and to ensure all that Renecon is committed to environmentally sustainable dredging activities”, he said.
