Nasarawa Assembly Moves to Tackle Illegal Mining, Skipping Due Process

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Environment has visited “Guarantee Mining Site” in Endo community of  Udege in Nasarawa LGA of the State on a petition written to the House on clash of mining consent in the area among mining companies.

The Chairman of the Committee, who is the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Mohammed Omadefu, stated this at the mining site.

This, the House said the visit was to ascertain facts in respect to three mining companies who are claiming having permission to carry out mining activities in the site with a view to resolving the crisis once and for all.

Omadefu said that the visit was to enable the committee members see things for themselves and to report appropriately to the House on their findings thus disapproving how community leaders are giving out mining approvals to companies illegally.

“We are here on directive of Mr Speaker in respect of a petition by some one 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’s 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 recieved  their mining consent from Odu district instead of Endo community under Onda district, ” he said.

Hon 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 and continue to be law abiding and respect constituted authorities in the interest of peace.

He gave  assurance that the House would continue to be just and fair in its decision at all times.

In his submission, the Osu Endo ( Village Head of the Endo community) who spoke through his Secretary, 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 thank you for your coming to see things for yourselves 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 on 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 also gave assurance of their readiness to continue to be law-abiding and respect constituted authorities for peace to reign.

It would be reported that the committee visited the palace of Osu Endo ( Village Head) of the Endo community where they met traditional council leaders among other stakeholders of the community.

Lateefah Ibrahim