Abuja – The Global Rights, an NGO, on Monday in Abuja urged the Federal Government to review its coal to power project to ensure that the cost did not outweigh its value.
Mrs Aniodun Teru, the Country Director of the NGO, made the call while presenting a report on the impact of coal mining and power generation on Okobo and Itobo communities in Kogi.
Teru said that the project, at its infancy stage, should be reviewed to determine its efficacy in effectively providing the projected power needed and ensuring it did not devastate the environment.
“The environmental problems associated with coal mining can be devastating and difficult to reverse; its effects must be studied carefully to make an informed policy decision.
“Countries like the United States and China that have heavily relied on coal mining for energy production are bearing the legacy of degradation to the environment, water, soil and air.
“Attempt to remediate the environment destroyed by coal mining and power production has proven difficult to the countries,” he said.
She said the baseline report of the Okobo and Itobe sought to provide environmental and socio-economic effect of coal to energy, as the communities would bear the direct impact of mining activities.
The country director said that Okobo community in Kogi where ETA-Zuma group mine coal was sited had suffered basic amenities such as potable water, healthcare facility and lack of security.
She noted that the mining company had built a block of three class rooms for the community which was inadequate compared to the numbers of pupils in the community.
According to her, the mining company is planning to begin coal to power plant at Itobo, adding that it should consider the effect of the project before commencement.
She said that most residents in Itobo and Okobo communities lived on less than a dollar a day with very low prospects for economic advancement.
She called on federal, state governments and the mining company to assist the communities with necessary amenities as they were voiceless and living in abject poverty.
Amb. Joseph Ayalogu, Executive Director, Corporate Relations of the ETA-Zuma, said that the company commenced mining coal at Okobo few years ago while currently planning to build coal plant at Itobo community.
Ayalogu said that the company dug three bore-holes for the Okobo but noted that the community could not drink the water, as it contained heavy iron metals.
He promised the two communities that the company would meet some of their requests, adding that it was government’s responsibility to fix all their needs as they paid necessary taxes.
Mr Salim Adegboyega, the Acting Director, Mines and Environmental Compliance Department, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, said that the 2007 Mining Act addressed and analysed areas that mining company should comply with.
Adegboyega said that before a mining company commenced operation, it should conduct Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and community development, among others.
He said that the ministry would look into areas that the company had not been able to fulfill its obligation to the community as a matter of urgency.
Some of the Okobo community representatives at the event lamented of poor attention by the mining company.
They called on government to intervene as they lacked water, healthcare centre and suffering from dust arousing from the mining sites. (NAN)