Firm lights up Ogun communities with 500KVA transformer, 100 electric poles

Picture caption: L-R- SRADev member, Managing Director of Everest Metal Limited, Mr. Vikas Das, Ologijo of Ogijo, Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, Executive Director of SRADev, Dr Leslie Adogame, Mr. Victor Fabunmi and Mr. Azeez all of SRADev after the commissioning of the 500KVA transformer at Ipetoro and Ewu-Oruku in Ogijo on 23 October 2019.

Less than a year after it promised to provide transformer to connect its host communities to the grid, Everest Metal Nigeria Limited, recyclers of lead battery and aluminum has fulfilled its promise to Ipetoro and Ewu-Oruku communities in Ogijo, Sagamu South Local Council Development Area of Ogun State.

The company, late last year was confronted with report of a study conducted by Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) in collaboration with European Journalists Centre (EJC) that shows high Blood Lead Level in the blood of volunteered workers and residents of communities around the facility sampled.

Similarly, the duo also identified some infractions to best practices in recycling processes such as emissions, non separation of rain water from the factory water, discharge of waste water to the surroundings, absence of effluent treatment plant among others during the visit to the facility. This, prompted a discussion between the communities, Everest and SRADev on how to improve on their activities which had hitherto been affecting the communities.

Consequently, an agreement was reached between the communities and Everest around December 2018 where the company promised to provide transformer for the community among other request submitted by the community representatives and the company.

In keeping to the agreement, a 500KVA transformer was donated to the communities by Everest in October. Not only that, the company went a step further by providing 100 concrete electric poles and high tension wires which were commissioned amid pomp and pageantry  on 23 October 2019.

Elated representative of Ipetoro and Ewu-Oruku communities, Mr. Rufus Noel, commended Everest for fulfilling its promise to the communities saying “it is my believe that Everest has a listening hear and mature enough to do what it has done”.

Noel commended SRADev Nigeria for her intervention in the plight of the communities that resulted in the donation of the transformer to light up the communities.

Ologijo of Ogijo, Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, described the donation of transformer and electric poles by Everest as a breakthrough in the relationship between the company and the communities around and encouraged the communities to be a good neighbour to the organization.

Oba Gbadamosi explained that he has been drumming it to the ear of all the companies within his jurisdiction to do something meaningful to assist the communities. “For any company to donate 100 electric poles and a transformer, it’s a lot of money”.

The monarch said Everest has been so supportive to the communities, adding that in the past three years, any time he called on the organization, they are always ready to support.

Executive Director, SRADev Nigeria, Dr. Leslie Adogame said initially it was like another impossible task which a lot of people doubted but the company has fulfilled the promise.

He explained that whole process began when the communities rushed to the organization last year to help through her various channels from the environmental pollution challenge they have been going through. He added that when the company was contacted with the report of the blood sample conducted, they open their doors and said they know they are not yet perfect but ready to improve.

“An agreement on Corporate Social Responsibility was signed and less than a year, Everest did it. Today, we saw what they have done, they are not there yet but Everest is moving forward”, he said.

Dr. Adogame also commended the organization for improving on its activities which prior to the time they visited the facility, it used to pollute the environment.

He said the organization now has in place and effluent treatment plant, constructed drainages within the facility, introduce a functional chimney and made some adjustment to it processes.

Representative of the Sagamu South LCDA Chairman, Mr. Jamiu Yekini, commended the organization for providing electricity to the communities as part of its corporate social responsibility. He urged them to take environmental management seriously especially the waste water from the facility.

Managing Director of Everest Metal Nigeria Limited, Mr. Vikas Das, said the project is a promise the company made to the communities which it has fulfilled. Das disclosed that the organization has also provided borehole while its still opening opportunities for the youth in the communities.

He added that his organization would have done more but the current business environment impacts on their financials.

Das said the organization has improved a lot on its facility. He said “we have tried a lot and if there is still anything you want, we are ready to comply. We know we still need to improve”.

The commissioning of the 500KVA transformer was well attended by traditional rulers, local government officials, SRADev Nigeria team, communities’ members, and media among others.