๐๐ฏ๐ฌ๐ฑ๐ข, 28๐ต๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ต๐ฐ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ณ, 2021
Kogi State’s ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ต๐ฎ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ผ has called for more mining partnerships and ventures in the state, declaring Kogi open for business.
The charge was made today at the ribbon cutting ceremony and commissioning of a block of classrooms constructed by Zuma 828 Coal Ltd, a coal mining company with sites in Okobo/Enjema communities, Ankpa LGA. The building was erected in partial fulfilment of the Community Development Agreement (CDA) duly signed by the company and its host communities.
In attendance were the Governor who was represented by the Chairman, Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), ๐๐ฎ๐ท๐ถ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป, His Royal Highness, The Ejeh of Dekina, representatives of the State and Federal Ministries of Mines and Steel Development, as well as Education, respectively. Representatives of the company and the community also attended the event.
In her remarks, Hajiya Suleiman lauded the socially responsible company for fulfiling its binding contract with its host community. She recounted her committee’s initial encounter with both parties through a petition detailing the displeasure of the community over negligence by the company, and the eventual signing of a comprehensive CDA at the MIREMCO secretariat almost four years ago.
The Chairman expressed gladness at the peaceful relations that has existed between both parties since then, and the efforts by the company to fulfil its obligation as stipulated in the CDA. She also commended the community for their forthright manner in seeking redress through the appropriate channels rather than take matters in their own hands.
Hajiya Suleiman then charged other mining operators and their communities to emulate both parties. While calling for more operators to invest in the sector, she stated that the Government has created a safe, enabling environment for business to thrive, for the good of the companies and the state as a whole.
