EBONYI SHUTS FOUR MINING COMPANIES FOR DISOBEYING COMMUNITY AGGREEMENT
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Ebonyi shuts four mining companies for disobeying community agreement
The Ebonyi State Government on Wednesday sealed four mining companies due to their noncompliance with the requirements of the state’s Community Development Agreement.
The purpose of the CDA is to guarantee that mining corporations make a positive impact on the areas in which they operate.
A combined task group headed by Hon. Chidi Onyia, Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, sealed the corporations. He clarified that the miners had plenty of time to abide by the deal but had not.
“The companies were given sufficient time, since July last year, to meet the CDA requirements but chose to ignore the rules,” he said.
The enterprises that are impacted are Shenglong Mining, situated in Eziulo in the Ishielu Local Government Area; China Solid Rock 1 and 2, located in Ngodo Amachi in the Afikpo Local Government Area; and Anli Mining and Investment Ltd.
The commissioner claims that unless the businesses follow the state government’s orders, the locations will stay shuttered.
He stated, “The people of Ebonyi are being treated as if they have no value. The Mining Act clearly stipulates that every miner must prepare a CDA to benefit and uplift the community in which they operate. However, most mining companies in Ebonyi State have disregarded this. This is against the state’s directives, and we will no longer tolerate it.”
“The land belongs to the people. Even though these companies have leased land from the Federal Government, they must ensure that the communities benefit from their operations.”
Onyia criticised one of the site operators, labelling its CDA as fraudulent.
“The agreement presented by Shenglong is fraudulent. There are clear procedures and templates for developing a CDA. How can a company of this size justify the community’s sole benefit as being one million naira annually?”
“We have companies here in Ebonyi constructing tarred roads for their host communities. Why is Shenglong different?” he queried.
In order to make sure that all businesses abide by the law, he pledged that the state government will keep an eye on mining operations and threatened to shut down any business found to be in violation.
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