NAN-H-22
Utilities
Wukari (Taraba ) , Nov. 24 (NAN ) Mr Adi Daniel, Care-taker Chairman, Wukari Council Area in Taraba, on Thursday urged the mining company operating in Akwana District to provide amenities to the community.
Daniel told newsmen in Wukari that the miner, S.B. Olatunji Global Nigeria Ltd., was required to perform his obligation in accordance with the provision of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007.
He said the company registered to extract Lead and Zinc had denied the community of the amenities that would improve the living conditions of its people.
Daniel said the council had written to the state government and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development on the need to urgently address the issue.
On his part, a Youth Leader in the area, Mr Agyo Atswenbuma, said the activities of the company had clearly violated Sections. 116 (1 ) (2) (3) a,b,c and e of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007.
He said the sections provided the mandatory community development agreement before commencement of work and the contribution of the project to infrastructure development.
Atswenbuma said the company had also violated sections 102 (2) and 113 (1) of the Act by not paying surface rent and compensation for crops, economic trees and building work damages respectively.
“Look, this illegal mining has no economic benefits to our people rather it is worsening our impoverished conditions because even our source of water is blocked due to the mining activities.
“This is also a clear violation of sections 125 and 127 (1) of the Act which provide for payment of compensation for pollution of water supply.
“Let me state clearly here that anyone who is coming to mine here based on the provisions of the law is welcomed, but we will not allow you to deny us what is due to us.
“The issue of statutory obligations of a miner is non-negotiable as it is clearly stated in his licence that failure to comply with his obligation may lead to revocation of the licence,’’ he said.
When contacted, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Seun Olatunji, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the allegations levelled against the company were very unfair.
He said most of his staff who worked as welders, blacksmiths and masons were indigenes of Akwana and their salaries were paid promptly.
Olatunji said when people returned to the area after the 2014 ethnic clashes, the company had renovated some places of worship and it planned to sink boreholes for the community.
He told NAN that in spite of the frequent stealing of the company’s equipment on the site, it had so far invested over N150 million in mining in the area.
The managing director said the company was determined to continue with exploration in the hope of discovering Lead, noting that it would remain committed to its social responsibilities.
NAN reports that Akwana village, with about 21 kilometres land mass, has a huge mineral deposit, including Tantalite, Columbite, Florite, Tamalin, Copper and Gypsum, among others. (NAN)
NB/DO/PDE
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(Edited by David Onilede/Peter Ejiofor)