Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

RDI, others petition Nasarawa govt over mining communities' devastation

POSTED ON October 3, 2024 •   Breaking News      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Executive Director of RDI, Philip Jakpor l Credit:@RDICorporation

Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) and its partners have appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to intervene in the destruction caused by artisanal mining and the unwillingness of the promoters to address the issue.

RDI, Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) and Neighbourhood Environment Watch (NEW) Foundation, in the petition, prayed the House of Assembly to side with the impacted people of Abuni in their quest for environmental justice.

They asked the Assembly to, among others, visit Abuni community to investigate mining operations.

They also asked that Uke district should also be visited, carry out a comprehensive environmental audit of Abuni on their source of water and farm environment, and revoke the mining licence of Multiverse Mining Company if the investigation shows breach of Nigeria’s environmental laws.

At a media interactive session on the state of mining communities in Nasarawa State on Wednesday, in Lagos, the Executive Director of RDI, Philip Jakpor, described mining impact in Nasarawa communities as a ticking time bomb that would eventually go off anytime if urgent steps were not taken to address it.

He said: “The state of the environment, the exploitation of young girls as young as 13 years for sexual satisfaction of licensed and illegal miners, as well as the insecurity occasioned by the influx of foreigners in that community should be investigated.”

Last April, RDI had raised the alarm on the state of the environment in Uke district, Karu Local Council of Nasarawa, following the commencement of extraction of gold and lithium there.

“Unfortunately, we are yet to hear of any positive change since our report was published. Instead, disturbingly, we have been able to document that the situation is even worse in Awe Local Council where locals allege that a Chinese firm, Multiverse Mining Company, is also impacting Abuni negatively,” he added.

Executive Director of CFSF, Sani Baba, described findings from mining communities of Nasarawa as disheartening, to say the least.

He added, “They confirm our long-held belief that in the quest for extraction of solid minerals, government at state and federal levels continue to look the other way while extractive firms ruin lands, create insecurity and rob us of our natural resources.”

According to him, CFSF is determined to work with RDI and other partners to see that justice is done in Nasarawa.

In his intervention, the Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, said the mistakes of oil were already happening in the solid minerals sector.

Williams said, “It is for this reason that we advocated that Nigeria’s Mining Act should create crimes and punishments section that can be enforced either by the host communities or the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals.

"Clearly, what is happening in Awe and Uke fits perfectly into sanctionable acts because the environment, livelihoods and lives of the people are being systematically destroyed right under the nose of the state government.

“Mining inspectors that are a component of this initiative shall, without notice, visit any mining site to know whether or not the operators are operating within accepted standards, including use of personal protective gears."

READ ALSO
Tinubu Launches Lagos-Calabar Highway, Ignoring Sanwo-Olu Amidst Economic Challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 1, 2025 0

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday overlooked Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during th...

READ ALSO
China to Advocate for African Rights on Global Stage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Chinese Counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shen Sha, has reiterated China's strong de...

READ ALSO
China-Africa Institute to Launch First Museum in China Celebrating African History and Culture
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The China-Africa Institute, part of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has unveiled plans to cr...

READ ALSO
Niger Flood Claims 21 Lives, Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts As Local Officials Report 60+ Fatalities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

MINNA, Nigeria - At least 21 individuals, including children and adults, have been confirmed dead, w...

READ ALSO
South Africa Surpasses Nigeria in Fuel Imports Amid Dangote Refinery Operations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 29, 2025 0

Nigeria has lost its long-standing title as Africa’s largest importer of refined petroleum pro...

READ ALSO
Nigeria's Internet Penetration Struggles to Meet 2025 Goals Amid Economic Pressures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 27, 2025 0

Nigeria's telecommunications industry is facing a challenging situation, with internet penetration r...

READ ALSO
Lagos State Partners with Jospong Group for Innovative Waste Management Initiative
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 27, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State Government has entered into a waste management and processing conce...

READ ALSO
FG Launches Urgent Evacuation, Demolition of Illegal Structures Under Iddo Bridge
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 26, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The federal government has commenced the evacuation and demolition of illegal struc...

OUR CHANNELS:

China to Advocate for African Rights on Global Stage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Chinese Counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shen Sha, has reiterated China's strong de...


China-Africa Institute to Launch First Museum in China Celebrating African History and Culture
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The China-Africa Institute, part of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has unveiled plans to cr...


Botswana's Speaker Lauds China's Commitment to African Development
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has praised China for its de...


WHO Calls for Immediate Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products to Protect Youth
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a new publication on Friday, urging governments to swif...


WHO Unveils New Vaccination Strategies to Protect Infants from RSV
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization announced on Friday its recommendations for two new vaccination option...


Federal Ministry Unveils Digital Village to Bridge Digital Divide in Abuja Community
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched a Digital Villag...


Niger Flood Claims 21 Lives, Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts As Local Officials Report 60+ Fatalities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

MINNA, Nigeria - At least 21 individuals, including children and adults, have been confirmed dead, w...


NGO Calls for Tax Elimination on Sanitary Pads to Promote Menstrual Hygiene
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

A non-governmental organization (NGO), FAB Treasure Foundation, urged the federal government on Thur...


Tinubu Commits to Collaborative Efforts with AfDB's New Leadership, Congratulate Sidi Tah
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has praised the election of Sidi Tah as the ninth president of the African Dev...


Tinubu Champions Sports as Catalyst for Economic Growth at National Sports Festival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

OGUN, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu has urged governments at all levels to utilize sports as a mea...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu