Utweets
Following incessant complaints and petitions against operations of some mining firms in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi state by landlords and host communities, tbe state Governor, Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru, has ordered the immediate stoppage of mining operations in the affected areas. ...READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE ...READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE
The governor gave the directive Friday in his office in Abakaliki, while addressing representatives of Anli Mining Investment Limited (a Chinese mining company), Kaisheng Mining Company and WODA Mountain Construction Company; all operating in Afikpo and Amasiri communities, both in Afikpo LGA.
Represented by the state’s Commissioner for Mining and Solid Minerals Development, Hon. Chidi Onyia, Nwifuru insisted that no mining exploration or activity should take place in the affected areas until the firms properly entered into Community Development Agreements (CDAs) with Ihie village, in Amasiri Autonomous community.
He also summoned the management of WODA Mountain Company for not sending a representative to the meeting, despite invitation notices from the Ministry of Mining and Solid Minerals Development, ordering them to report to the ministry within seven days.
Similarly, he gave a seven-day ultimatum to the aforementioned three mining firms in Afikpo and Amasiri communities to comply with the directives, otherwise they will risk their operations in the said communities.
Consequently, he directed the affected companies to cease operations in the host communities until the processes of re-engaging the host communities were perfected.
“WODA Mountain Construction Company’s purported Community Development Agreement (CDA) with the host community in Amasiri is null and void. Therefore, neither Anli Mining Investment Limited nor WODA Mountain should carry out any mining operations in Afikpo without the involvement of the key stakeholders from the host communities,” he said.
Similarly, while addressing stakeholders of Ukpa Community and Anli Mining Investment Limited, Governor Nwifuru nullified any agreement purported to have hitherto existed between the firm and the host community.
“The purported CDA (lease agreement) entered into between Anli Mining Investment Limited and Ukpa Community in Afikpo LGA is null and void and therefore nullified by the Ebonyi State government.
“The Ebonyi State government, through the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development, is deeply interested in the execution of meaningful projects in line with provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and the Mining Regulations Act, 2011 in Afikpo for the benefit of the host communities.
“Therefore, Anli Mining Investment Limited must sign a proper and fresh CDA with the representatives of the land owners, village host communities, traditional rulers and the representatives of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development,” he stated.
The governor subsequently constituted a Projects Implementation Committee, consisting of the mining companies’ representatives, land owner’s representatives, community representatives and the government’s representatives.
He disclosed to the host communities and firms that the Federal Government is very careful about mining operations.
“Any scholarship from Anli Mining Investments Limited must be strictly supervised and monitored by the Ebonyi State government to know the actual beneficiaries and their individual identities.
“We didn’t say ‘go and kill or strangle the company’, but we have to follow the procedures. Sometimes, we feel pity for these companies, but none of these companies make less than 500 million naira monthly. I am not trying to incite you against the company, but I’m just telling you the truth,” he stated.
At the meeting were representatives of Ihie and Ezeke communities in Amasiri, including the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Amari Omaka, Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security in Afikpo LGA, Hon. Obinna Oko Enyim, among other stakeholders.
In their speeches, the representatives lamented their exploitation as host communities by the mining companies.
Others, including the Legal representatives of the communities, Paul Ezejitu who facilitated the meeting and Ota Ewa, appreciated the governor for his efforts.
On his part, the legal representative of WODA Mountain Company, Fanta Nwafor, promised to relate the decisions reached to the management of the firm.
