The member representing Ikwo Ezza/South Federal constituency, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogah, has expressed displeasure over the operational dispute between a mining company, 'First Patriot limited', and her host, Ohankwu village, Ndufu Alike in Ikwo local government area of the State.
The Federal Lawmaker, in a chat with journalist,alleged that the company has forcefully displaced about 50 residents from their homes without prior notice. He equally accused the mining company of not paying compensation to the hosts, who own the land.
Ogah alleged further that the company has been using security agents to carry out indiscriminate arrest, harassment, and intimidation of their host in the area, and called on the company to release those arrested within 7 days or he will be forced to officially report the company to the federal ministry of solid mineral.
According to the lawmaker, armed soldiers, police officers and civil defence personnel allegedly invaded the community and forced residents out of their homes.
"I've heard that a lot of things are going on there. The arrest, harassment and intimidation of our people, they also have a group of people they are paying money claiming they are paying to the community, let them go and reconcile with the community, they cannot do their business in area filled with violence.
"We are giving them one week after one week we write straight to the federal
ministry of solid mineral for withdrawal of that lease and we take it up to any length. so many of our people have died in that pit no proper compensation no right barrier
were done so many of them have lost their lives
it was the same pit that i lost my chief of staff, years ago because they could not implement what the law said, they'll just wake up because they find out that our people are peaceful,law abiding and that's why they feel they can intimidate the people, no way.
"If their homes are part of the lease, it's not something by force. It's something you sit down with them,give them time, pay them compensation to enable them to build and relocate to another place", Ogah, concluded..
Corroborating the allegations, a resident of Ohankwu who wouldn't want his name on print, revealed that they have all ran away from the village because security agencies comprising the army, Police and civil defense have laid siege in the area.
However, the Director of First Patriot Limited, Obi Alio, denied the allegations.
He insisted that the company operates within the law and has fulfilled all obligations to host communities through Community Development Agreements (CDAs).
“There is nothing in that CDA that has not been done. We provide boreholes, roads, scholarships and other amenities,” Alio said.
He also denied claims of forceful eviction, maintaining that there were no houses in the land where the company is working in the community.
He also added that all residents who own land in the area where the company is working were adequately compensated.
He noted that the company has spent a lot in maintaining peace among their host community as no business thrives in the atmosphere of ranchor. He assured that they will continue to pursue peace in the area at all times and cost.
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