The Uru-Lokpaukwu Community in Umunneochi Local Government Area has appealed to the state government intervention over the lingering non activities at a quarry site leased to Jinloys Nigeria Ltd, for close to 10years now.
The community during a protest match to Government House, Umuahia, alleged that Jinloys, apart from not adhering to the terms of agreement with the community, the company has equally been harassing, intimidating members of the community and chasing away other investors that want to operate in the quarry.
Speaking during an interface with the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, some of the community leaders, including their President-General, Hon Uche Obunaeme, the immediate past President-General, Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Okoli, a legal practitioner, K. C. Opara and Mr. Godwin Nweke accused Jinloys of lacking the required technical and financial capacity to run the quarry site.
They stated that the agreement with the company expired since 2022 but has been using agencies and court action to stop quarry activities at the site. They decried that the action has stalled socio-economic activities in the community as most of their youth who borrowed money from banks to engage in quarry related activities are now being chased about by banks.
The Community appealed to the state government to allow the new investor, Nwanda Quarry Nigeria Ltd, the community entered into a new lease agreement with to operate in the quarry site. According to them, Nwanda Quarry has a valid agreement with them, coupled with the fact that they have technical capabilities to run the site.
They contended the company has employed about 70 workers and is willing to commence mining activities but were being prevented by Jinloys. The community leaders seek government intervention to avoid breakdown of law and order in the community as a result of the action of Jinloys which neither adhere to the agreement with the community nor have the required expertise to engage in quarry mining.
In his speech, the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, urged the parties to maintain peace and decorum as the state government would study the agreement the community entered with the company in order to ensure that the firm lived up to the term.
Engr Emetu said that the government wants robust economic activities to enhance the socio-economic life of the state and would therefore warn of anything that would stalled that policy
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He further directed that Jinloys should be allowed to commence mining activities and that the government would take action if seen that the company can not operate the site.
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