ICIR Nigeria
By Semiu OKANLAWON
Rather than seek to move farther away from what is patently an unhealthy environment, property developers are luring many to buy plots near the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Lagos in spite of the many dangers that health experts identify as reasons not to live close to such a project; writes NPO Reports
Refinery, irony of unique selling point
ONE of the websites that advertise properties in the vicinity of the Dangote Refinery, Lekki, Lagos, South-West Nigeria flaunts “convenience”, “saving more” and “solid social ties” as some of the attractions of acquiring a property in the area.
Indeed, one of them, Southern Gate Commercial in its advert, describes its plot as “strategically located. It is three- minute drive from Lekki Deep Sea Port, and one- minute drive from Dangote Fertilizer. It will appreciate very fast, and all other attractions that you can think of.”
But most important of all the ‘’attractions’ is the 650-barrels-per-day- capacity refinery presented as the Unique Selling Point by all estate developing companies selling land to future homeowners.
The buyers seem enthralled by what they assume are the ’allures’ of living proximate to a multi-billion dollar project.
On the surface,, the area indeed is a growing commercial concern with many industrial complexes springing up. Here you have a new port in the making. There are manufacturing companies that have gone into production, turning the area into a future busy place.
Development experts would easily say that wherever you find industrial activities on the rise, you must expect concomitant developments such as growing residential settlements, markets and other features that would serve the emerging community.
Since the multi-billion dollar petrochemical behemoth berthed in the Lekki area of Lagos, creating hopes of several thousands of job opportunities, smart property investors have seen lands in the area as a prime asset to attract buyers with deep pockets.
What is, however, missing is the warning against the dangers of living next to a project that constitutes huge environmental hazards.
When the NPO Reports visited the area, gas flaring was already visible at a good distance from the Dangote Refinery less than a kilometer to the backside of most of the newly cut-out plots of land, which developers are offering for sale.
A study by the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, United States titled “Adverse Health Impacts of Living Near an Oil Refinery in Jordan” concluded that residents living close to the oil refinery industry in Jordan report adverse impacts on their health, including respiratory problems, skin diseases, and perception of poor health.
Also, according to Healthguide.com, a report on the health hazards of living close to refineries “The first thing to note is that the air around a refinery is toxic. A lot of dangerous chemicals and contaminants, like sulfur dioxide, benzene, and lead, are released into the air during the process of refining oil. These chemicals are dangerous to the nose and the eyes. They pollute the air, making it difficult to breathe. Inhaling these toxins could also result in respiratory problems and could increase the risk of asthma attacks.”
Analysts believe that in other parts of the world, humans are advised to move farther away when such a project is cited in their locality.
