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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Ameka community in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has signed a five-year Community Development Agreement (CDA) valued at about ₦2 billion with a mining company, First Patriots Limited.
Ameka community has abundant mineral resources especially lead.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday evening in the presence of state officials, community leaders and stakeholders in the community, is aimed at ensuring peaceful mining operations while guaranteeing tangible development benefits for the host community.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyia, described Ameka as a “special community,” noting that it was one of the earliest mining areas not only in Ebonyi State but in the entire South-East region.
According to Onyia, historical records show that Ameka and neighbouring Enyigba were among the first places where early European explorers carried out mining activities over a century ago.
“Ameka has been on the world map for over 100 years. The first white men who came to Ebonyi worked here, and to the glory of God, these mineral resources have remained inexhaustible,” he said.
The commissioner acknowledged the concerns of the community over land ownership and mineral rights, noting that while land belongs to individuals and state governments, minerals are vested in the Federal Government under Nigerian law.
He appealed to the community for continued cooperation, stressing that development often comes with challenges but must be guided by the constitution and existing laws.
Onyia assured the people that the Ebonyi State government would not allow any investor to impoverish the host community.
“If the intention of First Patriots Limited is to come here and impoverish Ameka people, the same state government supporting you will push you away,” he warned. “You are here to make profit, yes, but you are also here to impact lives.”
He further charged the company to go beyond the written agreement in fulfilling its social responsibilities, urging it to maintain a harmonious and respectful relationship with the people.
“These are your landlords; you are their tenant,” Onyia said, adding that peaceful coexistence would guarantee ease of doing business and sustained government support.
Satya Penneru, director at First Patriots Limited, said the company was fully committed to the agreement, which includes the provision of infrastructure such as roads, training programmes, scholarships and other community development projects.
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“The total commitment is around ₦2 to ₦2.5 billion over five years, and that is 100 per cent what we intend to deliver. Beyond what is written, we will still do much more.”
Penneru noted that the company had been operating in Ebonyi State since 2015 and had never defaulted on its promises, adding that peace was critical to progress.
“If peace is there, progress will automatically be there,” he said, citing examples where the company had helped resolve long-standing communal conflicts in other mining areas.
Also speaking, a member of the community and Vice-Chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Professor Michael Awoke, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, describing it as inclusive and sensitive to the developmental needs of Ameka.
“We have been praying for this type of development to happen. The agreement is very accommodating and addresses many of the problems facing the Ameka community.”
Addressing concerns about possible mismanagement of benefits by stakeholders, Awoke assured that the agreement clearly outlined a sharing formula that must be strictly followed.
“All stakeholders here have unanimously accepted the agreement, and we will ensure it is implemented rigidly, without default,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC ) has unsealed the mining site for the company to begin operations.
The Commander, Mining Marshals, Southeast zone, Nkoro Emmanuel unsealed the site shortly after the signing of the agreement.
He explained that the site was sealed due to illegal mining going on by another company at the site.
He noted that he unsealed the site because First Patriots has fulfilled all regulations and requirements including the agreement signed with the community.
“We successfully evacuated the illegal mining company that mined here illegally. So I hereby unseal the site for First Patriots, the rightful owner of the site”, he said.
The signing of the agreement was greeted with optimism by residents, who see it as a major opportunity to translate Ameka’s rich mineral endowment into sustainable development, improved infrastructure and better living conditions for the people.
