One big mining company for Nasarawa State, Lideal Mines Limited, don come out to deny one social media report wey dey accuse dem of hiring thugs and miscreants to block government work. The company spokesperson, Joseph Omozoje, talk say the report wey dey circulate for Facebook and other platforms na pure lie and misleading story.
According to the report wey Lideal dey deny, dem accuse the mining company of hiring thugs to obstruct the official duties of Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo. The incident suppose happen for cadastral units 2 and 3 for Endo village inside Udege Development Area of the state. But Omozoje yarn say this accusation na “unfounded and misleading narrative” wey some people just cook up to spoil their company name.
For telephone interview with Arewa PUNCH correspondent for Lafia, the state capital, on Monday, Omozoje explain say the false report also accuse Lideal Mines Limited of destroying heavy machinery and trucks wey belong to another mining company, Ganfeng Mining Company. The company spokesperson talk say all these accusations na blatant misinformation wey dem just dey spread to discredit their reputable firm.
Omozoje yarn clear say Lideal Mines Limited get proper license from Federal Government, and na only Federal Government get power to give mining licenses for Nigeria. He talk say mining operations no be under state government matter, and their work for Endo village dey follow all the laws and international mining practices wey dem approve.
The company spokesperson yarn say dem see this kind false reports as wicked plan to spoil their good reputation. He talk strong say as law-abiding company, Lideal Mines Limited never sponsor thugs or do any sabotage to disrupt government activities. “Lideal Mines Limited no dey occupy any illegal site. The site wey we dey mine for Udege Development Area na the coordinates wey Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals give us, and we dey follow all their regulations,” Omozoje talk.
Omozoje also yarn say Lideal Mines Limited don contribute well-well to the economic stability of Endo community and surrounding villages. He talk say since the company start work for the area, dem don help reduce problems of insecurity, banditry and kidnapping for the community. The company dey committed to do more for their host community and the environment.
About the confrontation wey happen between Nasarawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources authorities and some artisanal miners for the site, Omozoje yarn say na because of high-handedness of Commissioner Margaret Elayo. He talk say the protest wey happen na because about 1,000 people wey dey benefit from selling less qualified materials from Lideal Mines Limited fear say dem go lose their livelihood. But Omozoje yarn clear say the protest no get anything to do with Lideal Mines Limited.
The company spokesperson yarn say since Lideal Mines Limited start operations for the area, residents don dey enjoy relative peace, prosperity and stability because of the company magnanimity. Omozoje beg journalists and bloggers to avoid smear media campaigns and defamatory reports wey fit spoil reputable companies their image. He talk say media professionals suppose dey objective and do proper investigations before dem publish anything to avoid spreading misinformation.
Omozoje still commend Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, for her efforts to ensure decent mining practices for the state. He talk say dem need better collaboration between the company, her ministry and the government to find better ways to improve the mining sector for overall development of Nasarawa State.
The whole matter show how mining activities for Nigeria still dey cause plenty controversy, especially when e concern relationship between licensed mining companies, artisanal miners, and state government authorities. As Nasarawa State continue to develop their mineral resources, better communication and cooperation between all stakeholders go help prevent this kind misunderstandings wey fit lead to false accusations and social media misinformation.
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