By our Reporter
ABAKALIKI
The Ebonyi South Youths Assembly (ESYA) has dismissed claims by the Labour Party governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Mr. Splendour Oko-Eze, over the state’s solid minerals sector, accusing him of misrepresenting constitutional provisions and promoting misleading narratives for political gain.
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Odii Njoku, the group said Oko-Eze’s recent social media post titled “Is Ebonyi State Really a Poor State?” contained what it described as constitutional inaccuracies capable of misleading the public.
The Assembly argued that under the 1999 Constitution and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, the ownership, licensing and regulation of solid minerals fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, insisting that state governors lack the constitutional authority to issue mining licences or directly control mineral resources.
According to the group, it was therefore erroneous to hold Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru responsible for matters constitutionally assigned to the Federal Government.
The youths maintained that rather than engaging in political rhetoric, the Nwifuru administration had focused on collaborating with federal authorities, licensed mining firms and regulatory agencies to secure greater benefits for mining host communities.
They claimed that the state government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, facilitated over ₦5 billion in Community Development Agreements (CDAs) and compensation packages for affected communities.
The statement listed some of the reported achievements to include compensation payments to landowners, scholarships for more than 1,000 students from mining communities, and the construction of roads, health centres, classrooms, laboratories, electricity and water projects funded through Community Development Agreements.
ESYA also said the administration had introduced reforms aimed at strengthening regulation of mining activities, including inspections of mining sites, compulsory reclamation of abandoned pits, enforcement of Environmental Impact Assessment requirements, improved workers’ welfare, measures against illegal mineral transportation and mechanisms to reduce revenue leakages.
The Assembly further argued that the existence of mineral deposits alone does not automatically translate into economic prosperity, noting that sustainable development depends on constitutional compliance, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development and sound public administration.
While acknowledging the role of opposition in a democratic society, the group urged political actors to base their criticism on facts and constitutional realities rather than what it described as misinformation and sensationalism.
It called on Oko-Eze to study the constitutional framework governing the mining sector before making public comments on the issue, insisting that political ambition should not come at the expense of factual accuracy.
The group reaffirmed its support for what it described as responsible public discourse and pledged to continue defending initiatives it believes promote sustainable development and the interests of Ebonyi people.