Epe Fish Deaths Not Linked To Dredging Activities – LG Chairman Animashaun

• Fish farmers at the popular Cottage Fish Processing Center, Ebute Afuye Cluster in Epe recently lost thousands of tilapia fish in mysterious circumstances.

• Some of them blamed the disaster on dredging activities near their fish ponds.

• However, Epe’s top government official has questioned the claim.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Chairman of the Epe Local Government Area, Surah Olayemi Animashaun, has dismissed claims that the fish disaster at the Cottage Fish Processing Center, Ebute Afuye Cluster, Epe, Lagos, were caused by dredging activities.

She questioned the claims in an interview with our correspondent.

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Recall that Epe Tilapia Fish Farmers under the World Bank-assisted Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project recently accused Renecon Limited of killing their fish due to the company’s dredging activities close to their fish ponds.

In a viral video, the farmers demanded justice from the Lagos State Government for their losses.

However, speaking with Eko Hot Blog, the Epe LG boss said there was no direct correlation between the fish deaths and the dredging activities.

She noted that natural seasonal patterns are affecting fish populations.

“It is crucial to recognize that different fish species have varying spawning and migration patterns, which can result in fluctuations in their populations at specific times of the year,” Animashaun said, acknowledging the well-established phenomenon among local fisherfolk.

However, she assured the fish farmers that if credible evidence links the dredging operations to the fish deaths or poses a threat to the ecosystem, the local government will promptly request the state government to temporarily halt the operations until thorough assessments and mitigation measures are implemented.

Earlier, local stakeholders provided differing opinions on the cause of the fish deaths.

Kehinde Yinusa, a Facebook commenter, suggested that the proliferation of the water hyacinth plant, locally known as “gbeborun,” has covered the water surface, leading to heat stress and depleted oxygen levels for the fish.

Bunmi, a fish trader in the market, shared a similar view in an interview with Eko Hot Blog, attributing the fish deaths to a seasonal occurrence caused by the water hyacinth bloom, which prevents the free flow of water and depletes oxygen levels in the river where the fish ponds are located.

However, Alarape, another fish trader, acknowledged the water hyacinth’s role but also highlighted the dredging activities’ impact.

“The dredging has not only disturbed the natural habitat of the fish but has also scattered sand, clogging their airflow and causing further stress,” the trader stated, citing the disruption of food sources and the mounting debts due to the loss of their primary source of income.

Meanwhile, officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) swiftly moved to investigate the Epe fish deaths, visiting the scene to take water and soil samples.

In a statement on Facebook, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, promised that all measures would be taken to avoid a future reoccurrence.

“For proper scientific analysis, the following samples were taken for laboratory analysis to help unravel the real cause of the death of the species; Soil sediments from six different points on the lagoon including the dredging area, Lagoon water from six different points, three live fishes from the ponds, Well water used by the community for cooking and drinking, Sample from the borehole donated to the community by Rencon Limited as well as a sample from the borehole used by the Military men in the lagoon environment,” he wrote.

“All the samples have been taken to LASEPA’s certified laboratory for further scientific analysis and investigation.

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“Other Departments in the preliminary investigation include; Laboratory Services, Land and Water Pollution Control, Natural Resources and Epe Zonal Directorate. Dr Tunde Ajayi, who received the team on arrival sympathized with the fish farmers, he assured them that necessary actions would be taken to avert future losses. We will work tirelessly to minimize incidents like this and implement measures to safeguard Lagosians’ interests and environment.”

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