The Ika Community Development Association Worldwide (ICDA), alongside other civil society organizations, has raised serious concerns over unauthorized coal mining activities in the Ika community of Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State.
According to Abuh Shehu, Secretary General of the association, certain individuals and corporate entities are pressuring community members to sign what he described as a fraudulent Community Development Agreement (CDA).
Speaking to journalists on Monday in Abuja, Shehu emphasized that the proposed agreement lacks transparency and fails to represent the interests of the Ika people. He specifically cautioned the community against entering into any arrangement with Chinese national Ms. Julie Zhuo and her company, Afrasia Mineral Limited.
"This move constitutes a clear breach of ministerial directives and attempts to undermine the rights of our community," Shehu stated. He revealed that the Minister of Solid Minerals had previously mandated that all CDA negotiations should exclusively involve the community and Orbit Exploration and Natural Products Limited, which holds the legitimate mining title.
The community leader accused Afrasia Mineral Limited of pursuing its interests through illegal channels, violating established protocols and due process in the mining sector.
While reaffirming the community's willingness to engage constructively with Orbit Exploration under legal and transparent terms, ICDA emphasized that Ika remains committed to peace and law-abiding conduct. However, the association firmly stated it would resist any attempts to impose illegality on its people, warning that such actions would face strong opposition and potential legal challenges.
ICDA and its civil society partners have called on relevant government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Solid Minerals, to intervene in the situation. They also appealed to national and international stakeholders to pay attention to the community's struggle against illegal mining operations and exploitation.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria's mining sector, where communities often struggle to protect their interests against powerful corporate entities. Mining activities, when conducted without proper agreements and environmental safeguards, can lead to significant ecological damage and social disruption in host communities.
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