Solmudia Industries Denies Illegal Closure of Road in Sango-Ota

Mr. James Obaro, the most elderly person in Igbala community in white cap, listening to the agreement paper with Solmudia Industries Limited before signing it along with the CDA Secretary then...

The management of Solmudia Industries Limited, located at Plot 3, Lyson Chemical Avenue, off Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, has denied allegations by the Igbala Phase 1 Community Development Association that it illegally closed Akinyemi Way, Igbala, Sango-Ota.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Mr. Innocent Anegbe, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Solmudia Industries, stated that all necessary approvals were duly obtained from relevant government agencies for the closure of the road, with the consent of stakeholders and residents in the area.

Anegbe, cited, as evidence, an approval letter dated February 19, 2024, issued by Prince O.S. Dada, Director General, Services and Administration, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, on behalf of the Executive Chairman. 

The letter, addressed to the Chief Executive of Solmudia Industries Limited and titled "Approval for the Closure of Existing Road, Akinyemi Way, Igbala, Sango-Ota," confirmed the local government’s authorisation for the permanent closure of the road strictly for industrial purposes.

The letter advised the company to “liaise with and carry along the Community Development Association, landowners, the Baale, and other relevant stakeholders for peaceful coexistence and mutual relationship.”

Another supporting document, dated August 22, 2024, from the Ogun State Ministry of the Environment, confirmed approval for drainage works linked to the road closure. 

Signed by Dr. Olugbenga Sam Oyeleye, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, the letter acknowledged a site assessment visit and required the company to pay a total of ₦190,798 in assessment and administrative fees for a drainage permit.

In response to the ongoing controversy, the Alli-Isiba Community Development Association, in a letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, dated July 23, 2025, refuted claims made by the new executive members of Igbala Community. 

They described those claims as “misleading statements and misrepresentations” regarding the road closure.

The association clarified that the decision to close the road was a collective agreement reached by representatives of Alli-Isiba, Igbala, Victory Estate, and Peace Estate communities. 

The closure, they said, was a proactive response to repeated criminal incidents on the road, including theft, rape, and armed robbery, with the goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and road users.

They emphasised that Solmudia Industries acted with full transparency, secured all necessary approvals, and obtained the consent of all affected communities, including the former leadership of Igbala Community.

In a surprising turn, the association noted that the current Chairman of Igbala Phase 1, Mr. James Garuba, who is now opposing the closure, was among the initial advocates for it and had received appropriate settlements from Solmudia.

Further corroborating Solmudia's claims is a sworn affidavit filed at the Magistrate Court, Ota, dated October 9, 2024, signed by both parties; Igbala Phase 1 Community Development Association and Solmudia Industries Limited.

The affidavit revealed that:

Solmudia agreed to monetarily compensate the community with ₦20,000,000 for any inconveniences caused.

The community endorsed the permanent closure of the road and agreed to non-interference in the company’s operations.

Both parties agreed to resolve future disputes amicably in the interest of peace and justice.

Solmudia committed to offering job opportunities to qualified youths from the community once full operations commence.

Both parties expressed gratitude to His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota, for his role in brokering peace.

The oath, which formalised the peace agreement, was signed by Elder James Obaro, Community Leader, and Mr. Bello Akeem, Secretary of Igbala Phase 1 Community Development Association.

Solmudia Industries maintained that its actions were in compliance with due process and done in the best interest of the community and its business operations.