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By Comrade A. M. Nasiru.
In what perhaps imply the dawn of a new day, the embattled Okobo community and Zuma 828 mining company reached a reasonable compromise after a prolonged dispute that arose from coal extraction from the community in Ankpa local government area of Kogi state.
The agreement which was signed by representatives of both parties took place at the Kogi State Mineral Resources And Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) office in Lokoja, Kogi state on Thursday 15th March 2018.
Been a clear indication of his unequalled legislative oversight and prudence, especially to the plights of his people. The honorable member representing Ankpa 2 constituency at the Kogi state house of assembly, Hon. Alfa Momoh Rabiu was ably present in official capacity and neutral signatory for both parties.
Present at the very significant session were the chairman of Kogi State MIREMCO, Hajia Hassiat Suleiman, Special Adviser to Kogi State governor on solid minerals, Hon. Charles Umoru, Acting Ejeh of Ankpa, Alhaji Usman Shaibu, Federal Mines Officer, Engr Samuel, the Enjema/Okobo CDA committee chairman, Mallam Yusuf Omale and Dr Innocent Ezuma, the executive Chairman of Eta Zuma Group.
Also present were the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon Senusi Usman, S. O. David Esa, SAN(Enjema/Okobo community lawyer), Yusuf Joko Audu, Kashim Rilwan and Ukaegbe Blessing. Others include, Engr Isyaku Ibrahim, Mrs Onimode Atinuke (MIREMCO members respectively) and Barr Ocheme D. Y. (Legal Counsel to Eta Zuma Group).
Highlights of the agreement reached for a period of five years includes provision of borehole with overhead tank facilities, quarterly maintenance of road from Emere junction to Okobo, renovation of the Onu’s palace which shall include fencing and a security house, block of three classrooms, annual donation of five hundred thousand naira worth drugs and a five million naira education fund set aside for one million naira annually among other things.
It will be recalled that whereas the Zuma 828 Coal Limited has been operating in the area for over five years, the disagreement between the host community and the company came to public glare following a facts finding mission led by the honorable member representing Ankpa federal constituency at the house of representatives, Hon. Hassan Omale.
The visit was prompted by a petition received by the federal law maker and was accompanied by his Idah and Dekina federal constituency counterparts, Hon Emmanuel Egwu and Hon Benjamin Okolo respectively along side the host honorable member representing Ankpa 2 constituency at the Kogi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Alfa Momoh Rabiu during the facts finding visit.
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