By Lucky Oyibo
Delta State Government has warned exploration companies operating in the state to stop exploitative ‘divide-and-rule system of operation capable of creating chaos and confusion among stakeholders in their host communities.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tommy Ejiro Jamani handed down the warning during the presentation of the independent investigation reports carried out by the ministry’s stakeholders to ascertain the cause of the water (stream) pollution as reported in a petition from Ukwu-Nzu community a month ago.
It would be recalled that the Ukwu-Nzu community in Aniocha North Local Government Area had written a petition to the state Ministry of Environment indicting Mosra Enerjy Limited of polluting their only source of water through its mining activities in the neighboring Ugboba community.
The Commissioner who presided over the meeting with the Acting Permanent Secratary of the Ministry, Mr. Toju Enone in attendance, called on the exploration firm to enhance the peace/security and sustainable environment mantra of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration in their host communities.
Jamani said there was no denying the fact that there was a disconnect among the various stakeholders of the operating firm arising from litany of litigations indicting themselves of complicity with the activities of the firm.
The Commissioner who summarized the reports as presented by the representative of the Project Coordinator of Delta State NEWMAP/EIB, Engr. Callistus Ojeh and the General Manager of Delta State Environmental Protection Agency (DELSEPA), Mr. Victor Okolie, said there were no sessions of the findings from the field and laboratory analysis that indicted the operating firm of polluting the only source of drinking water of Ukwu-Nzu community through its operation in the area.
The Commissioner advised the firm to carry stakeholders in the host communities including traditional rulers, youth organizations and the various quarters connected to the exploration of the coal resources in tbe area along to ensure peace and mutual co-existence among them.
According to him: ‘the firm must go back to the drawing board to implement the EIA agreement signed with the host communities during the preliminary operation activities.’
‘You must sit down in a round table with your tenants which are the host communities to fast-track lasting solution that would be enduring to both parties. Also, there must be room for mediation and settlement for peace to reign in the area.
‘You should know that the subordinates have a role to play for the peaceful operation of the company in the area and there is no way you can deal with the kings and ignoring the community youth. This is why the company should meet with all stakeholders for a peaceful operation in the area.
The Commissioner assured stakeholders in attendance that the ministry would call another round of stakeholders meeting involving traditional rulers, community heads and youth bodies after the operating firm had met with all stakeholders involve with the mining operation in the host communities aimed at building mutual relationship among them
The Health & Safety Officer of the Firm, Mr. Fred Nnamso, argued that the mining activities of the firm has nothing to do with waste and liquid pollution in the operational areas, saying the company was gradually meeting its corporate social responsibilities in the host communities.
A community leader from Ukwu-Nzu, Mr. Kaikenechukwu Okolie who presented an independent laboratory report of Ukwu-Nzu and Obomkpa communities, said the firm was not operating in Ukwu-Nzu and Obomkpa communities, but the activities of the firm was causing pollution and machine vibration that might have caused erosion of earth slide into Ukwu-Nzu Stream.
While commending the Delta State Government for the various projects completed in the host communities, Mr. Okolie called on the government to prevail on Mosra firm to implement the EIA agreement already signed with the communities.
