The Ika Community Development Association Worldwide, ICDA, in collaboration with other civil society organisations, has raised the alarm over what it described as irregular and illegal coal mining activities in the Ika community of Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to the Secretary General of the association, Abuh Shehu, certain individuals and corporate interests are exerting undue pressure on the community to sign a fraudulent Community Development Agreement, CDA.
Speaking with journalists on Monday in Abuja, Shehu stated that the agreement in question was neither transparently negotiated nor representative of the interests of the Ika people.
He, however, warned the community against entering into any form of agreement with a Chinese national, Ms Julie Zhuo, and her company, Afrasia Mineral Limited.
The community leader condemned the move as a breach of ministerial directives and an attempt to erode the rights of the host community.
Shehu noted that the Minister of Solid Minerals had previously directed that all negotiations and engagements concerning CDA be conducted solely between the community and Orbit Exploration and Natural Products Limited, the rightful holder of the original mining title.
He accused Afrasia Mineral Limited of advancing its interests through illegal channels, in clear violation of due process.
While reiterating the community’s readiness to engage constructively with Orbit Exploration on legal and transparent terms, ICDA reaffirmed that Ika remains a peaceful and law-abiding community.
Nonetheless, it vowed to resist any attempt to impose illegality on its people, warning that such actions would be met with firm rejection and, if necessary, legal action.
ICDA and its civil society organisation partners have called on relevant government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Solid Minerals, to intervene and ensure that justice is upheld.
They further appealed to both national and international stakeholders to pay attention to the plight of the Ika community in its ongoing struggle against illegal mining and exploitation.
