Benin, Edo – In a decisive move to address escalating community concerns, the Egor Local Government Council has established a five-man committee to investigate allegations of environmental and health hazards posed by the Iyayi Rubber Factory in Okhoro Community.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, follows a peaceful protest led by the Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO), which spotlighted the factory’s pollution and its impact on local residents.

The protest, spearheaded by EDOCSO’s Deputy Coordinator General, Leftist Charles Ojo, saw dozens of activists and community members march through Okhoro, wielding banners and placards with messages decrying the factory’s emissions.

Inscriptions highlighted issues like air and water contamination, which protesters claim have caused respiratory ailments and environmental degradation in the area.

The demonstration drew the attention from local authorities, with Vice Chairman Hon. Kenny Isokpan and other council executives appearing on-site to engage with the group.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Leftist Aliyu O. Umweni, EDOCSO’s Assistant Secretary General, lauded the council’s swift response, particularly the formation of the investigative committee.

“We are encouraged by the Chairman’s prompt action in setting up a five-man committee to probe the issues raised. We urge the committee to work diligently and ensure that the concerns of the Okhoro Community are thoroughly addressed.”, Umweni said

The committee, whose members have not yet been publicly named, is expected to assess the factory’s environmental footprint, verifying health risks to residents, and exploring the feasibility of relocating the facility to a less residential area.

Sources within the council told Daily South Nigeria that the panel would include environmental experts, community representatives, and regulatory officials, with a mandate to deliver actionable recommendations.

No official timeline for the committee’s report has been disclosed, though community leaders are pressing for expedited findings.

EDOCSO also commended the Iyayi Rubber Factory management for their willingness to engage during the protest. Factory officials reportedly held discussions with protesters, committing to immediate steps like improving emission controls while the committee’s investigation proceeds.

“Their openness and promise to do better deserve recognition,” Umweni noted, though he reiterated that relocation remains the ultimate goal for the community’s well-being.

The council’s proactive stance, led by its Chairman, has been hailed as a testament to responsive governance.

“When the people speak, government listens, and things change for the better,” Umweni quoted, expressing optimism that the committee’s work will pave the way for meaningful action.

EDOCSO pledged to collaborate with the council and stakeholders to ensure the process prioritizes the health and safety of Okhoro residents, even as the formation of the committee marks a critical step in addressing long-standing grievances in Okhoro, where residents have repeatedly raised alarms over the factory’s operations.

As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on the committee to deliver a transparent and equitable resolution, potentially setting a precedent for handling industrial disputes in Edo State.