Coal mining operations in the Ika community in Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State, have been characterised by the Ika Community Development Association Worldwide (ICDA) and other civil society organisations as irregular and unlawful.
Advertisements
Abuh Shehu, the association’s secretary general, claims that some people and corporations are trying to coerce the community into signing a false Community Development Agreement (CDA).
Shehu told reporters in Abuja on Monday that the deal in issue was not representative of the Ika people’s interests and was not negotiated in a transparent manner.
On the other hand, he cautioned the locals against doing business with Ms. Julie Zhuo of China and Afrasia Mineral Limited, her company.
The community leader spoke out against the action, claiming it violated ministerial orders and sought to weaken the host community’s rights.
Shehu brought up the fact that the Minister of Solid Minerals had earlier ordered that the community and the legitimate owner of the mining rights, Orbit Exploration and Natural Products Limited, should be the only parties involved in any discussions or negotiations related to CDA.
In his view, Afrasia Mineral Limited was in flagrant disregard for due process when it pursued its interests through unlawful means.
The Ika people are still peaceful and law-abiding, according to ICDA, who also reiterated their willingness to work with Orbit Exploration in a productive and open manner.
However, it made a solemn promise to stand hard against any effort to force its people to do something illegal, threatening to take legal action if needed.
Justice must be maintained, and the appropriate government institutions, including the Ministry of Solid Minerals, have been urged to do so by ICDA and its civil society group partners.
The Ika people have been fighting against illicit mining and exploitation for a long time, and they have asked for help from national and international partners.