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By Francis Nansak
Mining activities in Udege Development Area of Nasarawa local government council in Nasarawa State has in recent times attracted so much attention positively and negatively.
Udege is endowed in both minerals and agricultural produce.
The area of concern has been the activities of miners at Udege with the unprecedented influx of miners majority of whom are Chinese.
Findings by our correspondent shows that huge quantity of solid minerals are being dug on a daily basis and transported out of Udege suspected for export purposes.
Further investigation also revealed that apart from a recognized Chinese company, Tongyi Mining Company, which has registration and recognition of the Nasarawa State government and built a health clinic as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), others are illegally excavating the mineral deposits.
One of the residents of the community who spoke ananymously alleged that high profile stakeholders from the community and the state are aware of all the mining activities, making their monies in millions of naira while owners of the land are suffering.
“Udege in it entity should be more developed by all standard now,with the kind of activities that goes on at those mining sites,yet we lack do many social amenities, like potable drinking water, good electricity, the only health facility in our community is only a primary health clinic and we don’t have good motorable road, apart from the one our governor recently commissioned.
“We don’t have problem with coming into our land, but they are supposed to have considered that our people deserve reasonable development that will in the future serve our children.
“Don’t forget that with continuous exploration of the minerals,a time will come when we will not longer have farm lands, if the land is not properly refill, like it was the case with our neighbouring Plateau State,” he pointed out.
Another resident of the area who spoke in a different tune, said the Chinese mining company have to a large extend provided jobs to some the youths in the area as it has helped in reducing crime rate in the community.
According to him, “infact, we will appreciate if government can pacify these Chinese companies to establish stronger relationship with our people and not just a few who are the beneficiaries of the Chinese gestures.”
Apex News Exclusive reports that there over 200 people who have settled in Udege exploring the solid minerals such as Tantalite, gem stones among others that were being loaded in trailers to unknown distinctions.
When contacted, the Chairman, Nasarawa local government council, Honourable prince,Sani Ottos, confirmed that apart from Tongyi Mining Company,he is not aware of any other Mining company located at Udege.
