Oyo State Government Closes Catholic Church Over Environmental Violations
The Oyo State government has taken the drastic step of shutting down St. Mary Catholic Church in Oke-Padre, Ibadan, due to serious breaches of environmental regulations. Officials discovered that the church’s rundown toilet facilities were causing air pollution and sewage to overflow into the surrounding area.
Seun Ashamu, the state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, revealed that the situation blatantly violated state environmental laws and demanded immediate action to avoid potential health crises. The Ministry had received several complaints from locals about the church discharging human waste into the environment.
Upon inspection, ministry officers found visible sewage leaking and a strong, unpleasant odor, which led to a formal notice being served to the church. The dilapidated toilets reportedly allowed raw sewage to flow into open drains, contaminating the neighborhood.
Commissioner Ashamu emphasized that the government could not afford to delay, stating, “This isn’t a matter for repeated warnings. When faeces are spilling into the streets and polluting the air, swift action is essential to prevent disease outbreaks.”
The church allegedly defied government orders by forcibly reopening after being sealed, an act deemed illegal and punishable under state environmental laws. Consequently, the church was fined N500,000 for the violation.
“We are not targeting the church,” Ashamu clarified. “Our priority is public health and safety. The church must open the septic tanks, properly evacuate the waste, fumigate the premises, and comply with environmental standards.”
He warned that if the church continues to ignore the law, further penalties will be imposed to safeguard community health. The state remains firm in enforcing environmental laws to prevent any additional risks.
The closure serves as a stern reminder that no institution is above the law when it comes to protecting public health and the environment.