For better development of the nation’s economy, the Kogi State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) has advised the federal government against denying extractive companies’ access to their leased mining areas.
The warning came as part of resolutions of the 16th Community Development Agreement (CDA) Committee Meeting at Ankpa, in Kogi State on Wednesday, chaired by Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development who was represented by Bimbo Olaleye, an Assistant Director in the Ministry.
The meeting, attended by representatives of Mines and Steel Development Abuja, Surveyor-General of Kogi State,
Mineral Resources Environmental Compliance Committee, (MIREMCO), Alhaji Ibrahim Abagwu, Chairman, Ankpa Local Government Council, CDA Committee members representing Okobo/Enjema Communities and Zuma 828 Coal Limited, among others.
In her remarks, Hajia Hassiat Suleiman, Chairman of Kogi State MIREMCO, frowned at the blockade of access to FG granted mining lease area by certain persons and land owners in the communities.
Mrs. Suleiman warned that there exists a legal procedure to mining, adding that mining companies must never be denied access to their leased mining areas.
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In her remarks, the representative of the Minister, Bimbo Olaleye, urged the parties to be specific in their renegotiated CDAs to address discrepancies.
“There is a need for any renegotiated CDA to be specific, and projects should state amounts to be used to avoid issues or discrepancies. I want to urge the company to release remaining funds for completion of the boreholes at Okobo Ate and Enjema” she said.
The Company’s delegation led by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Innocent Ezuma, represented by the Head, Corporate Relations, Mr. Ukaegbu Blessing, thanked the Okobo/Enjema host communities for providing a peaceful environment while requesting for more collaboration.
The occasion also saw the handover of the Company’s renovated Onu Enjema Palace.
A key resolution adopted at the 16th CDA Committee Meeting was that; no persons or groups of persons in OKOBO/ENJEMA communities and beyond are allowed to obstruct the Company from carrying out exploration, enumeration of landowners for payment of compensation and annual surface rent and mining activities.