Environmental advocacy groups have commended the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for summoning a Chinese firm, Multiverse Synee Mining Company Limited to appear before it over the environmental impact of its mining operations in Abuni Community, Awe Local Government Council of the state.
The groups, Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) and Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF), had earlier petitioned the state House of Assembly through its Chairman, Committee on Environment, Adamu Omadefu on October 3, 2024, following a save our soul message sent by concerned residents.
The community had complained about pollution of the Rafin Jaki River and other infractions being caused by the mining activities of the Chinese company, including indiscriminate rock blasting and insensitivity to their plight after several complaints.
Earlier this week, a delegation from the environmental groups met with the state legislator, requesting the state House of Assembly to carry out a fact- finding visit to the host community as well as Uke District, where similar environmental challenges were being faced by the locals due to illegal mining.
Responding to the request, the legislator led other members of the House committee to visit Multiverse Synee Limited mining sites in Abuni Community and Akurba in Lafia Local Government Council on November 26, 2024, where they inspected the environment and informed the firm that the committee was there to ascertain if the company obtained the legal permits to carry out its operations.
He also heard from community youths, including the Youth Leader of Abuni, Umar Shuaibu, who expressed disappointment with the company for failing to fulfill the agreements reached with the community on the provision of roads, electricity, scholarships and the building of a hospital, among others.
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Executive Director of RDI, Philip Jakpor, commended the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and particularly, Omadefu for acting proactively in inviting the Chinese firm accused damaging the environment.
“We are determined to continue working with the Nasarawa State Government in ensuring that in the extraction of lithium and other solid minerals in the state, the people and the environment are not impacted negatively,” he said.
Also, the Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, said: “This feat is not only commendable. We encourage Omadefu and indeed, the entire Nasarawa State House of Assembly to remain steadfast because we know there are bigshots backing the illegality that the House is now confronting. We promise our sustained support for this cause.”
Similarly, the CFSF Executive Director, Comrade Sani Baba said: “The Nasarawa State House of Assembly acting through the committee on environment has sided with the people in the decision to stop the environmental crisis in Abuni and other parts of Nasarawa. We commend them and urge them to refuse any form of intimidation in forcing the mining firms to behave responsibly. Anything short of this is a time bomb.”
In their petition, the groups had demanded a comprehensive environmental audit of Abuni, Uke district and their environs, among other requests.
They also urged the government to revoke the mining license of any mining firm found wanting of breaching Nigeria’s environmental laws, as well as a thorough scrutiny of agreements reached between mining firms and traditional rulers of the mining communities.
