By Correspondent in Abuja.
Mr Abdulganiyu Abiodun, the Youth leader of Apomu in Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State, South Western Nigeria, has raised the alarm over mining activities by Baldoff Facilities Consulting Ltd, saying that it is causing grave environmental hazard to the community.
Abiodun in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja said the mining activities were activities were done without the consent of the community.
He said the traditional ruler of the community had instructed that all legal steps be taken to put a stop to the continuing environmental hazard in the community, through its mining activities.
Abiodun further alleged that members of the community had been exposed to environmental hazards, sequel to the mining activities since 2017 by the unauthorised activities of the company.
He urged the Federal Government to intervene by halting the mining activities, adding that the company had been carrying on its business operations in Apomu without the consent of the rulers of the community.
Also, the Alapomu’s lawyer, Mr Kayode Ajulo, in a petition to the Director General, Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, alleged that the mining company with its business operations had caused grave environmental hazard to members of the community of Apomu, thereby endangering their lives.
Ajulo said several efforts had been made by the traditional ruler of the community to discuss with the mining company of the effect of its activities and lack of consent, adding that all efforts proved abortive
According to him, it has been discovered that Baldoff Facilities Consulting Lid Small Scale Mining Lease has been effective since Dec,18, 2017 and due to expire on the Dec. 17, 2022.
“According to the provision of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, before a Small Scale Mining Lease is issued by the Minister of Mines and Steels Development, the Mineral title holder must have sought the consent of the rulers/authorities of the host community.
“That a Small Scale Mining Lease,upon its expiration, is subject to a non-renewal pursuant to the failure of a Mineral titleholder to comply with the provision of Act,” he urged.
Ajulo said Baldoff Facilities Consulting Ltd. having not complied with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 is not subject to the renewal of its mining license.
He said sequel to this, the company’s license should not be renewed upon its expiration on the Dec.17,2022 as the mining company did not comply with the provisions of the Act.
He added that the entire community was not comfortable with the activities carried out by the company as a result of the grave environmental hazard cause to the community.
Efforts by our Correspondent to get the reaction of the company proved abortive
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
