By Emmanuel Bagudu
Dangote Industries Limited mining Coal in Awo-Akpali, Ankpa Local goverment area of Kogi State and First Patriot Limited, a Salt mining company in Agalegu, Ikwo Local Goverment Area of Ebonyi State have resumed developmental projects in the various Communities where they exploit minerals.
TheNewsGuru.com Centre for Investigative Journalism (TNGCIJ) during an investigation under the Natural Resources and Extractive Resources Project (NAREP), funded by ford foundation and supported by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, gathered that the two companies dishonoured the community development agreements they entered into with their Communities by abandoning and deliberately refusing to carry out projects in their host Communities.
In Kogi, Awo-Akpali village where Dangote Industries Limited mines coal, residents reported that work has resumed in the health care centre and schools under construction which was early abandoned. TNGCIJ gathered that plans are also underway to complete abandoned bridge and unfinished graded roads.
Honourable Markus Okigbo who is the chairman of the Awo-Akpali village, Ankpa LGA disclosed this to TNGCIJ in a Telephone call. “….. Work has resumed in the health care centre and the school which was earlier abandoned…. They plan to see us after the holidays to finalise how to complete other aspects of the CDA, thanks to your Investigations Sir……” Okigbo said.
Tony Chiejina, spokesman of Dangote Industries Limited confirmed the development where he said “…. all differences with the host Community have been resolved….”
In Agalegu, Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State on the other hand, Ms Princes Emmanuel, a youth leader in the community told TNGCIJ that First Patriot LTD have started grading roads. According to her they are forced to do that due to the questions TNGCIJ keep asking them during the NAREP Investigations.
Executive Director of First Patriot LTD who spoke to TNGCIJ via WhatsApp confirmed he has resumed grading of roads and promised to share pictures of the finished work soon.