News Editor
By Olu Balogun
The Ika Community Development Association Worldwide, ICDA, in partnership with other civil society organizations, CSOs, has raised alarm over what it described as irregular and illegal coal mining activities in Ika community of Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State.
According to the Secretary General of the association, Mr. Abuh Shehu, some individuals and corporate interests are mounting pressure on the community to sign a fraudulent Community Development Agreement, CDA.
Shehu, who spoke with journalists on Monday in Abuja, said that the agreement was neither transparently negotiated nor reflects the interest of the Ika people.
Groups raise alarm over illegal coal mining in Ika community
He, however, cautioned the community against entering into any form of agreement with a Chinese national, Ms. Julie Zhuo, and her company, Afrasia Mineral Limited.
The community leader described the move as a violation of ministerial directives and an attempt to undermine the rights of the host community.
Shehu explained that the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals had earlier directed that all negotiations and engagements regarding the CDA be handled directly between the community and Orbit Exploration and Natural Products Limited, which holds the original mining title.
He accused Afrasia Mineral Limited of pushing its interest through illegal means, in clear disregard of due process.
While reaffirming the community’s willingness to engage with Orbit Exploration based on legal and transparent terms, the ICDA maintained that Ika remains a peaceful and law-abiding community.
It, however, vowed to resist any attempt to force illegality on the people, stressing that such action would be met with outright rejection and possible legal redress.
The ICDA and the CSOs, therefore, called on relevant government authorities, particularly the Ministry of Solid Minerals, to intervene and ensure justice is served.
They also appealed to both national and international stakeholders to pay attention to the plight of Ika community in its ongoing struggle against illegal mining and exploitation.
