“… meets warring parties, assures of justice, fairness, sets to engage community leaders, stakeholders…”
Nasarawa State House of Assembly has assured parties involved in the mining land ownership dispute in Igwo Community, Agwada, Kokona LGA of justice and fairness in the interest of peace and for the overall development of the State.
This, the House said it is poised to ensure that all emanating issues in all mining sites in the State especially negative experiences are addressed for peace and progress of the State.
Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu, the Chairman House Committee on Environment gave the assurance when Ahmed Osanga Otogoyi family and Alhaji Ali Kachala, Managing Director of DAY MAY Global Ltd the principal actors in the mining land dispute appeared before the committee today in Lafia.
It would be recalled that the House Committee on Environment has recently visited the area and the mining site on a facts finding mission with the promised of engaging the parties involve in the dispute hence today Tuesday’s meeting.
Hon. Omadefu said that the committee invited them following petition its received from Ahmed Osanga Otogoyi family against Alhaji Ali Kachala over mining land ownership in Igwo Community, Agwada, Kokona LGA.
“We have invited you over petition we received from Ahmed Osanga Otogoyi family, who complained that it has leased a portion of land (mining pit) to Alhaji Ali Kachala for mining purpose.
“And in the petition, you said Alhaji Ali Kachala went ahead to other portions of land which is against your family initial agreement with him.
“As a committee, we cannot just sit down and take a decision, that is why we invited you to hear from both of you in the interest of justice and peace” he said.
According to him, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered us to oversight mining activities and to ensure that peace reign in the State.
“After this sitting, we will also engage and interface with community leaders, stakeholders and youth leaders among others that matters to ensure that we get to the root of the issue at hand”
“We will strive to bring sanity to all negative issues raising from all mining sites in the State for peace and development to thrive” He added.
Hon. Omadefu called on the warring parties to embrace peace for the overall development of the community.
It would be reported that the area, Igwo Community is where an exploration of Fluorite, Copper and Tin among others are taking place in Agwada, Kokona LGA of Nasarawa State.
It would also be reported that the family of Ahmed Osanga Otogoyi and Alhaji Ali Kachala was said to have signed a lease agreement for five (5) years on the said portion of land on 13th April, 2020.
It was however, alleged that Alhaji Ali Kachala has several times prevented Ahmed Osanga Otogoyi family from gaining access to their land using thugs and Security men.
Both the parties have appeared before the committee today Tuesday in a move by the House to unraveled the facts as investigations continued.