The Ebonyi State Government took decisive action on Wednesday, sealing four mining companies for failing to comply with the provisions of the Community Development Agreement.
The CDA is a crucial policy designed to ensure that mining companies contribute to the development and well-being of the local communities where they operate.
According to The PUNCH, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Hon. Chidi Onyia, led a joint task force to enforce the shutdown.
He emphasized that the companies had been given ample time to meet the CDA requirements but had chosen to disregard them.
“We have given these companies sufficient time since July last year to fulfill their CDA obligations, but they’ve ignored the rules,” Onyia stated.
The companies impacted by the enforcement action include Anli Mining and Investment Ltd, China Solid Rock 1 and 2, located in Ngodo Amachi, Afikpo Local Government Area, and Shenglong Mining, situated in Eziulo, Ishielu Local Government Area.
According to the commissioner, the sites will remain closed until the mining companies fully comply with the state government’s directives, which aim to protect the rights of local communities.
Onyia expressed his displeasure at the disregard shown by some companies, noting that the people of Ebonyi were being treated unfairly.
He referred to the law, saying, “The Mining Act clearly stipulates that every miner must prepare a CDA to benefit and uplift the community in which they operate. However, most mining companies in Ebonyi State have disregarded this. This is against the state’s directives, and we will no longer tolerate it.”
He stressed that even though these companies had leased land from the Federal Government, they still had a responsibility to ensure the local communities benefited from their operations.
One of the operators, Shenglong Mining, came under particularly heavy criticism. Onyia called the company’s CDA fraudulent, pointing out that it failed to meet even basic standards.
“The agreement presented by Shenglong is fraudulent. There are clear procedures and templates for developing a CDA. How can a company of this size justify the community’s sole benefit as being one million naira annually?” he asked.
Onyia contrasted this with other companies operating in the state, many of which were providing substantial benefits to their host communities.
“We have companies here in Ebonyi constructing tarred roads for their host communities. Why is Shenglong different?” he continued.
The commissioner assured the public that the state government would keep a close watch on all mining activities in the state to ensure compliance with the law, warning that any mining company found breaking the rules would face similar sanctions.
