The Amaeze Community in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, says it has withdrawn its earlier consent granted to Mr Joseph Nomeh for the operation of a quarry on the Mboro-Ajayim land.
The withdrawal, conveyed in a letter to the Director-General, Mining Cadastral Office (MCO), Abuja, dated June 27, 2024, affected Quarry Lease No. 46327, which was granted to the applicant in June 2023.
The Chairman, Amaeze Development Union (ADU), Mr Ogbonna Nwaeni, told newsmen, on Wednesday, in Abakaliki that the decision followed Nomeh’s alleged transfer of the lease/licence to another company, without due consultation with the landlords and Amaeze Community leadership.
Nwaeni alleged that the applicant had promised to deploy his company’s equipment to the site shortly after the approval but failed to mobilise or fulfil agreed obligations to the community.
He said the decision also stemmed from the applicant’s alleged inability to commence operations more than one year after obtaining the consent and licence.
According to him, the letter withdrawing the consent also cited Nomeh’s alleged lack of financial and technical capacity to carry out effective quarry operations.
“The consent was issued after the company deceived the community that it had the financial and technical capacity to carry out quarry operations.
“The former leadership gave him the consent letter when he assured his company will operate on the site.
“We did not know he lacked the capacity and equipment for quarry operations; he transferred the lease to another company without our knowledge.
“Since June 2023, neither he nor his representative has been seen in the community.
“The quarry site has remained dormant, and no agreed financial commitments or community projects have been fulfilled,” Nwaeni said.
He recalled that the past leadership had, on June 27, 2024, written to the MCO to withdraw its consent before the lease was granted, but said the office went ahead to issue the licence.
Nwaeni cited an earlier letter of consent withdrawal, dated June 23, 2023, jointly signed by the Chairman, Amaeze Council of Cabinet Chiefs, Chief Martin Onu, and Chairman, Mboro-Ajanyim Land Owners Association, Mr Onyekachi Nweni, and other leaders.
He regretted that the MCO still issued the licence to Nomeh, despite the community’s rejection, pointing out that the letter was copied to the applicant and relevant local, state and federal authorities.
The ADU chairman said the community would not allow Nomeh or any company operating in his name, including Hephziba and Beulah Concepts Nigeria Limited, to work on its land.
Nwaeni said the community, at an emergency general assembly last week, reaffirmed its earlier resolution endorsing Zotman Nigeria Limited (ZML) as its preferred company to acquire the Mboro-Ajanyim quarry site.
“The Ishiagu Community Development Union (ICDU) had, in a letter signed by its President, Moses Ajah, granted Hephziba and Beulah Concepts Nigeria Limited access to the quarry site, under Quarry Lease License No. 46329QL, giving the firm three months to mobilise equipment or forfeit the licence.
“In view of alleged attempts by ICDU to impose another company, Amaeze rejects the arrangement, insisting that no agreement or Community Development Agreement will be signed with any firm apart from ZML.
“Our choice is based on ZML’s proven track record in security and community welfare in other host communities, such as Ihietutu.
“The previously dormant quarry site has become a haven for criminals, including kidnappers and armed herdsmen, making it imperative to engage a competent and security-conscious operator,” Nwaeni said.
He warned individuals and groups, particularly the ICDU leadership, against actions that could undermine Amaeze’s position or threaten its peace, urging them to align with the will of the landlords to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, a source at Hephziba and Beulah Concepts Nigeria Limited, said, on the condition of anonymity, that the company was mobilising to begin operation at the end of the rainy season.
Efforts made to get Nomeh’s reaction to the development were unsuccessful.
However, a community source close to him, told NAN on the condition of anonymity, that Nomeh negotiated with Hephziba and Beur Concepts Nigeria Limited, a quarry firm, to which he subletted the quarry lease for full operations.(NAN)
