By John Azu
Residents of Amalakpo communities in Ebonyi State have called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in what they described as a looming health and environmental crisis allegedly caused by mining activities by Greenfield Metals Ltd.
The community members made the appeal on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the alleged impact of the company’s mining operations on their environment, livelihoods and health.
Former Chairman of the Amalakpo Development Association, Agah Ferdinand Madubuike, and the association’s former Financial Secretary, Chinedu Ndukwe, accused the company of violating a subsisting court order and a directive by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to halt lead-mining activities in the affected communities.
The residents alleged that the company’s operations, including the bulldozing of farmland and other properties, had polluted water sources, allegedly resulting in skin infections among residents and affecting farming activities, economic trees and community landmarks.
They also alleged that the company’s activities had been accompanied by threats from suspected thugs, creating fears for the safety and security of residents.
“As we are dying, we are no longer living in our homes. We are here in Abuja. We borrowed money to come here. So, we don’t know what to do. We are calling on the government to come and help us,” Madubuike said.
Ndukwe similarly accused the company’s Managing Director, Henry Ahanotu, of contempt of court, alleging that the company had continued its activities despite the court order and government directive.
He alleged that the company had brought in thugs and used bulldozers to destroy farmlands and other properties, thereby undermining the community’s means of livelihood.
The situation, he said, prompted the officials of the association to submit joint petitions to security agencies, seeking enforcement of the court order and the Federal Government’s directive.
“They have destroyed most of our properties previously, and they are still threatening us that they will do more. They are telling us that what they did before was just a flash, but this time around, we will see their wrath. That is why we are calling on the Federal Government,” he said.
In a letter dated October 4, 2024, and signed by the Director of Legal Services of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, N.C. Odili, the ministry warned that the company was not qualified for the renewal of licences 28953 and 24324 because it had allegedly failed to comply with the minister’s directive to reach an agreement with the affected community.
The community members said they were particularly concerned about the alleged contamination of their water sources and the potential consequences for public health if the situation was not urgently addressed.
However, residents of neighbouring Amaonye community have reportedly commended Greenfield Metals for initiating development projects in their area.
The Amalakpo community members, while acknowledging the reported projects in the neighbouring community, maintained that their concerns over the alleged environmental and health impacts of mining activities remained unresolved.
They warned that failure by the authorities to intervene could result in a major public health and environmental crisis.
In its objection before the court, however, Greenfield Metals submitted that it had taken steps to regularise its Community Development Agreement with the affected landowners.
The company’s position provides a contrasting account to the allegations by the Amalakpo community, which is urging the Federal Government and relevant authorities to urgently investigate the situation and enforce any applicable court orders and regulatory directives.