Residents of Gidan Madara Community and Dadin Kowa Estate in Niger State have urgently called on the state government to protect them from the harmful emissions produced by the Golden Age Plastic Factory. In a petition addressed to the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, the residents decried the severe health risks posed by the factory's operations and demanded its immediate closure.
The factory, located in Gidan Madara, a densely populated residential area west of Minna city gate, was originally known for producing sachet and bottled water. However, its recent expansion into plastic manufacturing has sparked outrage among the community due to the release of noxious fumes and other pollutants, which residents say have made life unbearable.
The petition, titled "Petition for Quick Intervention to Save Our Souls from Noxious Chemicals, Plastic Fumes, and Soot Pollution," was signed by 45 prominent community members, including a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, Dr. Ibrahim Kolo, Prof. Salihu Niworu, and Mr. Lucky Barau. It highlights the deteriorating air quality in the area and its alarming implications for public health.
"The ambient air quality in Gidan Madara and Dadin Kowa Estate has been severely degraded," the petition reads. "Nigeria ranks third globally in annual premature air pollution-related deaths. This is the environmental injustice we have suffered from Golden Age Plastics’ operations since 2019."
The residents detailed the health problems caused by the factory's emissions, including respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic cough, chest pain, and insomnia. They warned of more severe consequences like blood poisoning, cardiovascular failure, and even premature death due to prolonged exposure to toxins, including carcinogens like dioxins, furans, and heavy metals.
The petition also expressed concern for vulnerable groups such as students at nearby schools, visitors to the Trade Fair Complex, and casual factory employees, stating that their exposure to these pollutants could lead to long-term health complications.
"We are suffocating day and night, while the factory owner enjoys clean air elsewhere. Our fundamental human rights to life and clean air are being violated in broad daylight," the petitioners lamented. They also criticized the location of the plastic recycling facility in a residential area, describing it as a violation of modern urban planning principles and an affront to the state government’s New Niger and Urban Renewal Initiatives. Despite appeals to state and federal environmental agencies since 2019, the community claims no action has been taken to enforce environmental standards or relocate the facility.
"We support investment but reject ventures that threaten our health and violate environmental justice," the petition concluded, urging immediate intervention to uphold Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
The residents’ plea is a clarion call for environmental justice and a reminder of the pressing need for government accountability in safeguarding public health and environmental integrity.