••• Protest Against Ebenezer Quarry Over Alleged Property Destruction, Threats to Lives
Residents of communities along Shasha Road in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday staged a peaceful protest against Ebenezer Quarry Company Limited, accusing the firm of excessive blasting activities that have allegedly destroyed houses, damaged farmlands, and endangered lives.
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Destroying Our Houses” and “Protect Our Lives and Properties,” called on the Ondo State Government and relevant regulatory agencies to urgently intervene.
The angry residents, numbering over 250 households, forced their way into the quarry premises in a peaceful but tense protest to express their grievances over continuous explosions they say have become a serious threat to lives and property.
Speaking during the protest, a community leader, Mr. Adekunle Adebayo, alleged that repeated rock blasting by the quarry company had caused severe structural damage to several residential buildings.
“Our houses are cracking, roofs are perforated, and ceilings have collapsed because of the constant blasting. Some of us sleep with fear because we don’t know when the next blast will happen,” Adebayo said.
“We are calling on the government and good people of Ondo State to come to our aid now. Do not wait until lives are lost,” a resident pleaded.
The protesters took journalists around the community, pointing to buildings with visible cracks, damaged roofs, and shattered ceilings. In some compounds, large blasted rocks were seen scattered within residential premises, which residents said landed there during quarry operations.
A resident, Mrs. Funke Oladimeji, said the situation had affected livelihoods and safety.
“They are not only destroying our houses, they are frightening our children. We cannot continue like this,” she lamented.
Ebenezer Quarry Company Limited operates as a granite quarrying firm in Akure, involved in the extraction and supply of stone base, chippings, and granite dust used for construction and road projects.
Quarrying activities are common within Akure South Local Government Area, but residents insist operations must not come at the cost of human safety.
The protesters demanded an immediate suspension of blasting activities pending a comprehensive assessment of environmental and structural damage, as well as compensation for affected residents.
“We are not against development, but development must not destroy lives,” another protester said.
Efforts to get a response from Ebenezer Quarry Company Limited as of press time were unsuccessful.
Residents also appealed to the Ondo State government and environmental regulators to enforce safety standards and protect host communities.
