By Our Correspondent
A community leader in Orile-Imo area of Ogun State, High Chief Olakunle Olalekan has debunked the rumour that the international breweries polluted the water source of the people of Orile-Imo.
Chief Olakunle disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing held in Orile Imo, Obafemi Owode Local Government, Ogun State.
While admitting that international breweries’ wastewater was channeled to a river in the area, Olalekan argued that the river does not belong to the people of Orile-Imo.
He described the purported allegations by some residents against the company as “stories from bittered people that do not want the development of Orile-Imo.”
He added, “The issue of how they channel their waste, which went to Iweko, Imale Mala, Abata; that river flows down to Ogere.
“Some people said that the Brewery has polluted the water, but that is not the true position of things.
“Three years ago, I was the one that went to clean up the river.”
He, however, pleaded with the residents to support him.
He further said, “So, I am pleading to the entire people of Orile-Imo to please work together and support the development of that project in Orile-Imo.
“We should not be abusing and condemning each other. People had given us names. The international brewery has many plants. They have one in Port Harcourt, Onitsha, and they have it here in Ogun State.
“I will appeal to the sons and daughters of Orile-Imo to please come together.”
On allegations of land-grabbing and bribery, Asiwaju Olalekan said, “We have many companies in Orile-Imo. We thank God for His presence and mercy on Orile-Imo.
“I must confess to you, that there are many difficulties. No one is perfect. But Brewery has tried a bit.
“Whoever that has it in mind that I take money from industries should come with their facts. I have not collected a kobo from any company.
“They just buy land. Whoever said I took their father’s land should come with their facts.
“I am a businessman. I have my company registered with the CAC.
“Some will say I like the government. I have to work with the government of the day. I live here and not in Lagos or Ibadan.
“We just do pray for the companies to be stronger so that they can do their CSR.”
The community leader also hinted at plans to celebrate his birthday by donating shops to residents of Orile-Imo.
He added that some residents would be helped with shops in celebration of his forthcoming birthday.
He said, “And my His grace, I am celebrating my birthday on the 9th of September next week. On that day, I am going to give out six of my shops to the people of the community at the Orile-Imo market.
“This year, I gave a bus to the general council. In the past few years, I gave the Baale-in-Council a bus.”
denied being involved in bribery and land-grabbing allegations that were been circulated by individuals he has referred to as “agents of fake news”.
Olalekan, who is also the Asiwaju of Orile-Imo also denied collecting money from any of the multinational companies operating within his domain.
Speaking on Thursday at a press briefing, the community leader insisted that he has remained committed to the development of Orile-Imo rather than using his role to negotiate contracts from the companies operating in the areas.
He also debunked the rumour that the international breweries polluted the water source of the people of Orile-Imo.
While admitting that international breweries’ wastewater was channeled to a river in the area, Olalekan argued that the river does not belong to the people of Orile-Imo.
He described the purported allegations by some residents against the company as “stories from bittered people that do not want the development of Orile-Imo.”
He added, “The issue of how they channel their waste, which went to Iweko, Imale Mala, Abata; that river flows down to Ogere.
“Some people said that the Brewery has polluted the water, but that is not the true position of things.
“Three years ago, I was the one that went to clean up the river.”
He, however, pleaded with the residents to support him.
He further said, “So, I am pleading to the entire people of Orile-Imo to please work together and support the development of that project in Orile-Imo.
“We should not be abusing and condemning each other. People had given us names. The international brewery has many plants. They have one in Port Harcourt, Onitsha, and they have it here in Ogun State.
“I will appeal to the sons and daughters of Orile-Imo to please come together.”
On allegations of land-grabbing and bribery, Asiwaju Olalekan said, “We have many companies in Orile-Imo. We thank God for His presence and mercy on Orile-Imo.
“I must confess to you, that there are many difficulties. No one is perfect. But Brewery has tried a bit.
“Whoever that has it in mind that I take money from industries should come with their facts. I have not collected a kobo from any company.
“They just buy land. Whoever said I took their father’s land should come with their facts.
“I am a businessman. I have my company registered with the CAC.
“Some will say I like the government. I have to work with the government of the day. I live here and not in Lagos or Ibadan.
“We just do pray for the companies to be stronger so that they can do their CSR.”
The community leader also hinted at plans to celebrate his birthday by donating shops to residents of Orile-Imo.
He added that some residents would be helped with shops in celebration of his forthcoming birthday.
He said, “And my His grace, I am celebrating my birthday on the 9th of September next week. On that day, I am going to give out six of my shops to the people of the community at the Orile-Imo market.
“This year, I gave a bus to the general council. In the past few years, I gave the Baale-in-Council a bus.”
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