 |
| Dr. Samuel Udonsak, National President of EPU |
.
By: Jerryz Edoho
The leadership of Eket People's Union (EPU), on behalf of the entire people of Ekid nation have read riot act to a Chinese company , Ruitai Mining Limited, over illegal mining of Ilmenite on Ekid land, warning that their activities will no longer be condoned by the Ekid people.
President General of EPU, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, while reading from a prepared address during a Press Statement on the ongoing illegal mining of Ilmenite by a Chinese company on Ekid land, located within the Stubbs Greek Forest Reserve, popularly refered to as "Akoiyak Ekid" held at the Eket Local Government Council Hall, on Wednesday, 11 October, 2023, said, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development could not have granted a mining license of any kind to the said Chinese Company without the knowledge, consent and approval of the original landowners expressed in either a lease agreement or any legal instrument conferring title or acceding to the mining.
He warned the Chinese company illegally engaged in mining on Ekid land to immediately discontinue their trespass and vacate sites forthwith and demanded from them evidence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A) report carried out by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, clearly outlining the environmental hazards/ consequences/effect of the mining activities on the community.
"For some time now, we have noted that a Chinese company, Ruitai Mining Company, has been illegally mining Ilmenite on our land; located within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak Ekid), property of the Ekid people without the necessary authorization or consent of the community is a complete breach of our extant laws"
He informed that according to Internal investigation, the illegal mining is usually carried out in the night and its product transported out of the state in trucks clandestinely.
"This illegal mining is alleged to be actively encouraged by certain elements in government. As at today, neither the Chinese Company nor their agents in government has informed the community of this ongoing illegal activity. This action is in complete breach of our extant laws" Udonsak stated.
"While we call on the State government to investigate Ruitai Mining Limited and those in government who are aiding this illegal mining, of Ilmenite on our land, located within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak Ekid); property of the Ekid people, we wish to state that this action is clearly against the letter and spirit of our current Mining Act that encourages mining to be carried out in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner". He added.
Responding to a questions from journalists, Dr. Udonsak said the people of Ekid want the right thing to be done for the benefit of all. He declared that the government has the political will to deal with anyone involved in illegal mining, however mighty and highly placed, because mining in a criminal activity and the law is not a respecter of persons, noting that, as at today, neither the Chinese Company nor their agents in government, has informed the community of this ongoing illegal activity.
Earlier, a former federal lawmaker, who is currently the Chairman Governing Council, College of Education, Afaha Nsit and Secretary General of Ekid People's Union, Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr, while giving a preview of the press conference, maintained that the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak), is the bona fide property of the Ekid people of Eket and Esit Eket LGAs and that their ownership thereof is supported by immutable historical antecedents and time-hallowed judgments of courts of competent jurisdiction.
He however called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to properly investigate the illegal activities of the company and its collaborators in government, warning against further encroachment of Ekid land by an individual or corporate firm.
No comments:
Post a Comment