Ogun Sensitises Religious Bodies on Adherence to Environmental Laws and Regulations

The Ogun State Government has kick-off a sensitisation and enlightenment programme towards curbing the violation of specific laws and regulations by religious bodies in the state.

Head of Service, Mr. Abayomi Sobande, said this in his opening address at a Consultative meeting with religious bodies on regulation of economic and environmental impact of activities of Non Governmental Organisations held in Abeokuta.

While appreciating the critical investment role of religious bodies in the socio-economic development of the state, he noted that "it has become particularly expedient, to effectively contain the undesirable consequencies of inadequate planning for these activities, be it noise or waste pollution, security challenge or traffic chaos or slums."

Towards the successful implementation of this objective, Mr. Sobande said religious sites will be required to furnish information on the particular property to facilitate accurate assessment of activities. 

This, according to him, will among others, assist, for instance, in addressing current planning challenges, such as provision for parking of vehicles and appropriate classification of land-use. 

He disclosed that the state government has placed a cap of 50 hectares on total land size that any religious body could acquire, at a particular location for its core-mandate.

Warning that this should not be seen as a licence for micro-sized assemblies to acquire the 50 hectares for extraneous purposes, Mr. Sobande stated that only the portion of land applied strictly to religious activities will be accorded that privilege by the government.

"We are not unmindful of the fact that our many long-time resident assemblies will have differing challenges in addressing these issues. 

"The most important point to note is that you remain highly valued development partners to this administration.  Each case will therefore be treated according to its peculiarity, while moving in the general direction of a better regulated regimen in the best interest of all stake-holders.

"We need free and full conversation to be able to understand our fears, align our expectations and institute a more orderly environment for a sustainable development that guarantees the best interest of all stake-holders, the conversation has started, the HOS concluded.