Mining Firms Shortchanging Cross River Govt, Host Communities – CSO

A civil society organisation (CSO) under the aegis of Policy Alert has alleged that mining firms in Cross River State are shortchanging both the government and the host communities.

The group cited weak accountability and poor benefit-sharing formula as the main causes of the losses.

The claim was made yesterday during a community engagement in Mbobui, Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State.

The Town Hall Meeting, organised by “We the People” in partnership with Policy Alert, focused on “mining, livelihoods, environment and community participation.”

In his remarks consultant with Policy Alert, Mr. Mfon Gabriel, said that their 2021 investigation into activities of a cement company operating within Akamkpa and Akpabuyo axis of the state  found major gaps.

He said, “Wetin we gain” project showed Community Development Agreements signed since 2002 were “largely unimplemented despite decades of mining activities.”

Gabriel averred that the host communities of the cement firm had been “exploited and denied benefits commensurate with the wealth extracted from their lands over the years.”

He called for a new CDA before Lafarge’s mining licence renewal in 2027, insisting “communities must freely determine their development priorities.”

He also demanded compensation for “unfulfilled obligations and projects allegedly neglected throughout the lifespan of existing agreements.”

On the environment, Gabriel reported complaints from residents. He said they cited “polluted water sources, dust pollution, damaged homes following excavations and constant blasting with dynamites and destruction of economic trees.”

He stated, “It is important to state that between 2015 and 2020, royalties paid to the federal government was N464.5 which is paltry when compared to tons of limestone, shell and mar mined daily from these communities.”

He urged the Federal Ministry of Environment to conduct “independent environmental audits to verify compliance with environmental standards.”

Other speakers raised governance and revenue concerns. Mr Ken Henshaw of We the People alleged communities were “excluded from critical decisions and received benefits as privileges rather than enforceable rights,” while some elites acted as gatekeepers.

He said, “Empowering communities to monitor mining activities would improve transparency and help government recover legitimate revenues.”

In his remarks Community stakeholder Mr Raphael Effiong from Abiati blamed local contractors for diverting jobs, and stressed that communities “must hold their representatives accountable.”