Conservationist Opposes Reclamation Of Burrow Pit Near Benin Zoo
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin-City
A conservationist who is Managing Director of Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park, Mr. Andy Osa Ehanire, has opposed plans by some Oko community leaders to reclaim a burrow pit near the zoological gardens.
Ehanire who spoke to DAYLIGHT REPORTERS warned that the move could lead to severe environmental hazards.
Mr. Ehanire stated that his stance aligns with his commitment to protecting the zoo and its surrounding environment from potential disasters.
He alleged that the community leaders advocating for the reclamation intend to use refuse to fill the pit, a move he described as dangerous.
“Nobody is against sand-filling, but it must be done with clean and safe materials, not refuse. Using waste will cause disease, create a nuisance, and bring international disgrace. You cannot solve a small problem by creating a bigger one,” he said.
The burrow pit, according to Mr. Ehanire, was originally acquired by the state government for sand excavation but was later shut down when it became an environmental hazard. However, he revealed that private excavators from Oko community resumed mining the site after the zoo was revived in 2000.
“Further excavation was unsustainable and dangerous. They dug so deep that they reached the underground water table, which feeds the Benin aquifer—the source of drinking water for the city. The Ogba River is also nearby, and pollution from the pit will contaminate these vital water sources,” he warned.
He noted that the pit had since developed into a mini-ecosystem attracting researchers, with diverse animal and plant species thriving there.
Mr. Ehanire accused some community leaders of seeking to turn the pit into a massive refuse dump for commercial interests, ignoring the ecological consequences.
“They started dumping refuse on New Year’s Day, bringing truckloads of smelly waste, including potentially toxic materials. Even 10,000 truckloads of refuse cannot fill the pit. If allowed, the stench alone will force the zoo to shut down, and homes in the area, including NPDC facilities, will suffer,” he added.
Meanwhile, leaders of Oko community, including Mr. Sunny Osazee, Mr. Harrison Edeko, and Youth Chairman, Mr. Sunday Ogbede, have accused Mr. Ehanire of frustrating their efforts to reclaim the burrow pit.
“Our houses are at risk. If this rainy season meets the gully, many homes will collapse. We are calling on the government and stakeholders to intervene and stop Mr. Ehanire from preventing us from addressing this environmental hazard,” Mr. Ogbede said.
