A member of the National Assembly, representing Apapa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Adedayo Adesola and the Chairman of Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area, Hon.Jimoh Olawale Saliu have expressed grave concern over the adverse effect of a pharmaceutical village project in Iganmu area of the constituency.
They both expressed strong dissatisfaction with the project during an unscheduled inspection visit on Thursday, 23 April, 2026.
The officials warned that the development has triggered significant environmental and public health challenges in surrounding communities, particularly Badia, Sari Iganmu, and nearby areas.
Residents, they said, are increasingly being forced to abandon their homes due to deteriorating conditions.
At the heart of the crisis is the apparent lack of adequate environmental safeguards.
According to Hon. Dr. Adesola, poor planning, specially the sand-filling of the site, has resulted in water stagnation, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes and heightening the risk of malaria and other vector-borne diseases such as yellow fever.
He stressed that the situation reflects a failure to conduct or act on a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which should have identified and mitigated these risks before the project commenced.
“The health implications alone are severe,” Adesola stated, noting that the spread of mosquito-borne diseases poses a serious threat to already vulnerable populations in the area.
Beyond health concerns, the lawmaker highlighted broader social impacts, including displacement of residents and disruption of livelihoods.
He emphasized that project developers have a responsibility to the host community, including implementing measures to reduce harm and engaging in meaningful dialogue.
The parliamentarian revealed that the matter has already been escalated to the House of Representatives, with a formal petition submitted and relevant regulatory authorities, including the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, notified.
He called on the project owners to urgently engage with the council Chairman to develop solutions that address the environmental and health challenges.
Failure to do so, he warned, could lead to stronger actions from both the government and affected residents.
Describing the situation as an emergency, the Hon. Adedayo urged swift intervention to prevent further suffering and restore safe living conditions in the affected communities.
Speaking at the scene, the Apapa Iganmu LCDA helmsman implored the owners of project to expedite action in order not to risk the wrath of his administration.
In his submission, the project manager Mr. Cook Austin informed that the company has brought in tractors do dredged the blockage to engender free flow of the canal.
He attributed the blockage to a culvert erected at the Ireti Owoseni axis of the canal, adding that the company requires approval before it can be destroyed.
Cook however said the company is open to discussion and ready to work out solutions to the problem.
