Follow Us on Google
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Worried by the continued negative impact of mining activities on their immediate environment, the host community of the Dangote Cement Plant in Gboko Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, has constituted a committee to dialogue with the President Dangote Group of Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The committee which is headed by Terna Abeda was constituted by the Yion Development Association (YIDA) in conjunction with the Supreme Council of Yion Traditional Rulers during the weekend in Gboko.
It was gathered that Mbayion community which hosts the second largest cement factory of the Dangote Conglomerate after Obajana are worried that for well over than 10 years, the limestone mining firm has not done much to mitigate the negative impact of its activities on her host community.
President of the Yion community development association, Comrade Orver Yongu, in a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday, lamented that “aside a 10 million naira yearly bursary shared among hundreds of students, the cement plant has not done much for the community in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility.”
He alleged that for close to 20 years, the cement plant has not dug a single borehole or provided alternative source of clean water to cushion the harmful effects of the pollution of the streams in the area occasioned by its activities.
Yongu also noted that the staff clinic which was managed by the company and which also used to cater to the health needs of the community is now moribund just as the alternative health facility under construction by the company for the host community and its environs has been over taken by weeds.
Worried by the development, the host community after deliberations constituted the committee to dialogue with the President of the Dangote Group himself to strengthen things out.
Other members of the committee include Prof Terkimbir Vange, Prof David Shaahu, Engr Augustine Mando, Engr E A Akaade, Dr kyernum Nyamibo, Dr Terzungwe Alaghde and Barrister Solomon Jime who is the committee secretary amongst others.
