Following the crisis raging between Dangote Group and BUA Group over the mining right in Obuh community, in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, the Federal Government has ordered the parties involved to vacate the site to avoid break down of law and order in the area.
But the community leaders who expressed worry over the development, accused the Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals of causing the crisis by giving licences to the feuding parties to mine in the same site and urged both the Federal and Edo State Governments to urgently find a peaceful resolution to the crisis, adding that further escalation of the crisis will negatively affect both revenue and employment opportunities of the community people.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who disclosed the Federal Government’s directive at a meeting with leaders and elders of Okpella community at Government House in Benin City, yesterday, noted that parties involved in the crisis were in court, therefore, the Federal Government had decided that further mining in Obuh community be suspended to allow for peaceful resolution of the crisis in court.
Obaseki said: “We are following the rule of law. There is a dispute, it is not unusual to have disputes over assets but there are laid down methods of resolving disputes of this nature. What we understand as a government is that there is dispute or claim between two parties over an existing mining right and the Mining Act of 2007 is quite clear. The Federal Ministry of Mines decides on how to award or issue leases.
“In this particular case, there are multiple claims and they have gone to court. We have a letter from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power instructing that the party currently mining that particular site should vacate pending the outcome of the decision in court. So the position of Edo State Government today is that the court orders must be obeyed.”
Federal Government´s instruction should be obeyed, that mine should be shut until the outcome or the determination of the case in court.”
Speaking also, spokesman of Okpella community, Mr Ayuba Giwa, said “What we are saying in our response to the reference of the matter to the Presidency is that we blame the Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals as they ought to be more prudent in granting mineral licence. We employed all parties to abide by the rule of law and the rule of law includes the fact that in 1994, Okpella took this matter to the Federal High Court in Benin City and judgment was given in favour of Okpella.
“It became clear to us that the Ministry was not complying with the judgment which was partly responsible for this debacle we are now. In 2014, Okpella went to the Federal High Court, Benin City, so it is not just only BUA and Dangote that is in court, Okpella is also in court. So it is fair and just that the matter is resolved, including the interest of the community and Edo State because any breach of peace will impact on our people first and that is why we came to see Mr Governor,” he stated.