Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly,  Dr Danladi Jatau, has tasked mining communities in the state and stakeholders in the areas to support investors’ activities. 

The speaker said this was to bolster the overall development of their communities and the state at large.

The speaker made the call on Friday when he visited Igwo community in Agwada, Kokona LGA of the state to intervene on disputes between the people and Black Gen New Energy Ltd, a mining company operating in the area.

The Igwo community is one of the communities in the state blessed with natural resources, especially Lithium currently being mined and processed by Black Gen New Energy Ltd.

There is a misunderstanding as three communities namely; Agbadu, Agaza and Egboka, are complaining of alleged taking over of their ancestral lands by the firm, a development that prompted the speaker’s intervention.

Mr Jatau, whom the place is part of his constituency, visited the community to hear from them and see things for himself  to resolve the disputes amicably.

He said, “I have visited the area following complaints and tension being generated by the situation by the communities.”

Mr Jatau said that if the people give room for crises,  they would be the ones to be at the receiving end.

“Hence the need for the host communities  to keep all sentiments aside and unite for the benefit of their communities,” he added.

Mr Jatau appreciated God for blessing the area with natural resources and thanked the effort of Governor Abdullahi Sule for attracting investors to the state.

The speaker stated, “When brothers fight, visitors inherit their properties,” decrying the lack of proper communication between the parties to the disputes.

He added, “Selfishness is the major cause as everyone is struggling and fighting for his personal gains instead of the overall community’s interest.”

Mr Jatau called for calm and understanding among the people, urging them to embrace peace at all times.

Earlier, the Chairman of Agwadu community, Ayuba Osu and the representative of Egboka community, Abraham Kwose, including Saidu Haruna of Agaza community, said that the situation was worrisome.

They said that they were blinded in what was happening in their environments in the mining activities by Black Gen New Energy Ltd.

On his part, the company’s Liaison Officer, Emmanuel Bitrus, who said that the lands were leased for some years but not taken over as alleged by the communities.

He said  that the company passed through due processes and it was fulfilling its Community Development Agreements’ with stakeholders’ involvement.

 (NAN)