By Dr. Gbashahwange Maya
Your Excellency Sir,
Calvary greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I also wish to congratulate you on your one year in office, your achievements so far and the thank you tour you are undertaking especially as you visit Kwande Federal constituency in Adikpo. These are no mean feats as far as governance is concerned.
I specifically want to bring to your notice the predicament associated with Iron ore mining in Turan axis of Kwande LG. Viz:
1. It is true that mining activities has been going on since 2019 in the area without much Ado.
2. It is also true that mining by whatever method is a health risk to the people around the mining sites.
3 . Mining also degrades the environment and can causes environmental hazards.
4 . All these known, the Federal Government still goes ahead to issue out licenses to would be investors in the sector, hence investors were licensed to invest in our area.
5 . The host community of Turan axis scrutinized them and consented with them to mine in their areas. Since then, mining has been going on without any problem.
6 . Recently, a lot of problems are said to crop up with the miners and the State Government ostensibly through falsehood by some people, some of whom we know do not belong to the mining communities. Some use fictitious claims of residency alien to the mining community such as Joseph ShiAondo who is not from Nyihemba as claimed in his write up. Videos are made incriminating the investors by people we later know their identities without seeking to know the real facts on the ground.
7 . I believe His Excellency may not be aware of some of these issues judging from the militarized manner his cohorts approach the sites in a democratic set up like ours.
8 . At no point has the host community been engaged as should be done. No Government and host community meeting has been arranged and held with the host community to know the real facts on the ground.
9 . Having laid the groundwork, I wish to make the following submissions:
1 . Government has the right to use appropriate measures to know what goes on in her domain. This should be done passionately and inclusively.
2 . That means the host communities should be involved in the discussion on mining knowing fully well they are also major stakeholders in the mining sector. This will pave way for understanding and inclusivity.
3 . We are well aware of the government’s efforts for massive employment in the state. The mining sector is one the area that can guarantee this initiative. In Turan land, mining took off many youths off the streets as many were employed in this sector. The empowerment was unquantifiable. Social vices diminished during the mining period but reappeared when mining was suspended.
4 . My Governor should also understand that if care is not taken, investors will be afraid to invest here because of uncertainty associated with government policies.
5 . Government should not encourage people who know little about what goes on in mining to feed them with false alarm on mining issues. Using false propaganda as a way to halt mining activities is not in the best interest of our people and the State.
6 . Mining can be continuous as long as the sought after minerals are in place. Therefore, meetings can be held with mining communities from time to time to roll out government’s policies and directions for a better way forward in the mining sector. This will also pave way for the host communities to express themselves appropriately.
Having said all these, I hope as the Governor returns back to the office after the tour, His Excellency will look into all the suggestions and lift up the suspension placed on mining activities in the State for a better economic stimulus of his people and the State. Congratulations for the tour and for clocking one year in office.
Yours sincerely,
Gbashahwange Maya Ph. D
From Turan, Kwande LGA.
