The Ebonyi State government has announced that it sealed four mining companies due to non-compliance with the dictates of the Community Development Agreement (CDA).
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Hon. Chidi Onyia made the announcement on Wednesday.
Onyia after leading a joint task force operation to seal off the companies said the Ebonyi State Government gave the miners enough time to comply with the agreement but they all failed.
“The companies were given enough time, since July last year, to meet the CDA requirements but chose to ignore the rules,” he said.
“The closed companies include Anli Mining and Investment Ltd, China Solid Rock 1 and 2, located in Ngodo Amachi in the Afikpo Local Government Area (LGA) and Shenglong Mining located in Eziulo in the Ishielu Council.”
It was further revealed that no fewer than ten local workers were laid off at China Solid Rock 2, a mining company owned by Chinese nationals in the Afikpo area.
This development, as stated by Onyia violates the principles of the agreement and mining regulations.
The commissioner added that the sites will remain sealed off until the companies comply with the directives of the Ebonyi State Government as regards mining.
“Ebonyi people are being treated like they have no value. The Mining Act clearly states that every miner must prepare a CDA to benefit and uplift the community where they operate,” he said.
“However, most mining companies in Ebonyi State have ignored this. This is against the dictates of the state and we won’t take it anymore.
“The land belongs to the people and even though these companies have leases from the Federal Government, they must ensure the communities benefit from their operations.”
Onyia also hit out at the operators of Shenglong Mining, describing their CDA as fraudulent.
“The agreement Shenglong provided is fraudulent. There are clear procedures and templates for developing a CDA. How can a company of this size justify that the community’s only benefit is one million naira annually?,” he asked.
“We have companies here in Ebonyi that are constructing tarred roads for their host communities. Why is Shenglong different?
“I assure that the state government will continue to monitor all activities to ensure all companies follow the law and any company found breaking the rules will be shut down.”
