The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Environment has advised community leaders to be circumspect in granting mining consents in their respective areas to avoid backlash.
The committee gave the advice during a visit to “Guarantee Mining Site” in Endo community of Udege in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state over a petition written to the House on clash of mining consent in the area among mining companies.
Mr Mohammed Omadefu, the Chairman of the committee, said the visit was to ascertain the facts in respect to three mining companies claiming having permission to carry out mining activities at the site.
Omadefu, who is also the Majority Leader of the House, led members of the committee to the mining site on Tuesday.
He said that the visit was to enable the committee members see things for themselves and to report appropriately to the House on their findings.
“We are here on directive of Mr Speaker in respect of a petition by someone that he has a mining consent from Endo community but on reaching the mining site, the place was occupied by Zurfi Mining Company and Harrick Global Investment Nigeria Limited.
“The petitioner said as a law abiding citizen, he need the House intervention on the matter, that is why we are here .
“We have seen things for ourselves and heard from Endo community that they have given mining consent to Feiya Mining Company, not any other company or companies.
“The Endo community said that Zurfi Mining Company and Harrick Global Investment Nigeria Limited received their mining consent from Odu district instead of Endo community under Onda district,” he said.
Omadefu assured the petitioner and Endo community that the House would do justice on the matter for peace to resign.
“We will report back our findings to the House and the House will take fair decision on the matter in the interest of peace, unity and for the overall development of the state,” he said.
The committee chairman urged the parties involved to restrain from violence, continue to be law abiding and respect constituted authorities in the interest of peace.
He assured that the House would continue to be just and fair in its decision at all times.
In his submission, the Secretary of Endo Community, Mr Aminu Mohammed, informed the committee that the community has given mining consent to Feiya Mining Company not any other company/ companies.
“First and foremost, we want to appreciate you for your coming to see things for yourselves in order to ascertain the true position of the mining consent.
“We, Endo community, has given mining consent to Feiya Mining Company for mining purposes.
“What Zurfi Mining Company and Harrick Global Investment Nigeria Limited are doing in the site is illegal, we don’t know them,” he said.
He appealed to the committee to ensure justice on the matter.
The community leader assured of their readiness to continue to be law abiding and respect constituted authorities for peace to reign.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee also visited Endo community where they met with the traditional council leaders, among other stakeholders of the community. (NAN). READ ALSO:
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