The Ebonyi State House of Assembly Committee on Solid Mineral Development has taken action to address concerns raised by the Afikpo Town Welfare Association against quarry operators, particularly China Solid Rock Nigeria Limited.
The committee visited the cited companies, emphasizing adherence to regulations and safety measures, while also urging community involvement in agreements with industrial entities. Both the petitioners and company representatives presented their perspectives during the proceedings.
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According to the chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Hon. Ifeanyi Nwakpu, representing Ikwo North State Constituency, the National Environment Operations guiding quarry and blasting companies regulates noted that no person shall locate a quarry or blasting company within three kilometers of an existing residential, commercial or industrial area.
Sequel to this, the committee paid an assessment visit to China Solid Rock Company and assured the petitioners that the needful shall be done.
Equally, the committee visited Anli Mining Investment Limited who was included in the petition for exposing its workers into industrial hazards and not fulfilling community agreement implored the company to improve on the welfare packages of its workers, charged the workers to always put on their safety gadgets not only when blastering is being carried out and told the management of the company to always fulfill the corporate agreement they had with the host community to avoid disturbances.
The leader of the House and a member of the Committee, Hon. Kingsley Ikoro implored the companies to always take the safety and welfare of their workers serious and harped on the need for all communities entering into agreement with any company to involve both the House of Assembly and the State Government for proper directives.
Other members of the Committee who spoke including Hon. Mrs. Chinyere Nwogbaga representing Ebonyi North East, Hon. Henry Eze representing Ishielu North and Hon. Mrs. Esther Agwu representing Ohaukwu North all implored the companies to always consider avoiding operations that could pose dangers to the wellbeing of the host community.
Speaking on behalf of the petitioners, the Afikpo Town Welfare Association President General Chief Ogbonna Okogwu and High Chief Gary Nnachi Enwo lamented the closeness of China Solid Rock to residential and industrial areas and implored the committee to look into the company’s operations and possibly relocate them.
Responding on behalf of the Anli Mining Investment, the company manager Mr. Reh Hu Shen confirmed that the company has never reneged on their responsibilities to the host community and that the security and welfare of their workers are paramount to the management.