Indigenes of Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have raised the alarm, accusing a Chinese firm of carrying out illegal mining activities in the area in connivance with some local collaborators.
They made the allegation in a petition addressed to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru.
Youths of the community in the petition, accused four individual of colluding with the foreign company to conduct unauthorized mining activities on sacred community land, including the revered ancestral shrine located in Ugwogo Forest.
The petition, signed by the Youth President, Mr. Ogbuinya Livinus, alleged that the mining activities are illegal and in violation of Section 61 of the the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
They noted that the law mandates an environmental impact assessments report, community engagement, and federal certification before any such mining activity can be carried out.
The petition claimed that none of the requirements contained in the Act, were met by the Chinese company before embarking in the alleged illegal mining.
“The shrine has been our ancestral deity since centuries ago,” the petition reads. “Its desecration by this Chinese firm and their local accomplices is not only a cultural affront but also a spiritual violation.
“The underground mining poses serious environmental risks including potential tunnel collapse, land subsidence, and even earthquake-like consequences,” the youths said.
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The petitioners alleged that the Chinese company, in collaboration with the aforementioned individuals, has begun arresting and harassing community youths who have peacefully resisted the unauthorized mining.
The youths further revealed that no license was granted to the Chinese firm for mining on the disputed land.
According to them, the original leaseholder, Royal Salt Limited, which was officially granted mining rights over the land, has distanced itself from the Chinese firm’s operations.
“Royal Salt has categorically denied granting any license or permission to the Chinese company to enter the land, much less mine it,” the petition noted.
The situation, the petitioners claimed, is further compounded by the fact that the Chinese company has gone far beyond any designated mining boundaries.
They alleged that the firm is now digging dangerously close to the Royal Salt mining dump, a development they warned could have catastrophic consequences.
“They are digging deeper than they were ever permitted and heading towards the Royal Salt mining dump.
“This reckless activity could trigger seismic tremors, cause collapses and endanger lives. If the heavy rains persist, the village could witness a disaster of unimaginable scale,” the petition warned.
The community called on Gov. Nwifuru to issue an immediate executive order, halting the illegal mining operations and to launch a full-scale investigation into the involvement of the Chinese firm and its local collaborators.
“We are still holding our peace in respect of your peace initiative in Ebonyi State through your People’s Charter of Needs. But we urge you to act now before it’s too late.”, the petitioners concluded.
