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 the “Guarantee Mining Site” in the Endo community of Udege in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state over a petition written to the House on the clash of mining consent in the area among mining companies.
The chairman of the committee, Mr. Mohammed Omadefus said the visit was to ascertain the facts with respect to three mining companies claiming to have 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 to see things for themselves and to report appropriately to the House on their findings.
“We are here on the directive of Mr. Speaker in respect of a petition by someone that he has mining consent from the 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 needs House intervention on the matter; that is why we are here.
“We have seen things for ourselves and heard from the 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 the Endo community under Onda district,” he said.
Omadefu assured the petitioner and the Endo community that the House would do justice to the matter and resign in peace.
“We will report back our findings to the House, and the House will take a fair decision on the matter in the interest of peace, unity, and 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 decisions 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 and not any other company or companies.
“First and foremost, we want to thank you for your coming to see things for yourselves in order to ascertain the true position of the mining consent.
“We, the Endo community, have 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 in the matter.
The community leader assured them of their readiness to continue to be law-abiding and respect the constituted authorities for peace to reign.
The committee also visited the Endo community, where they met with the traditional council leaders, among other stakeholders in the community.
