Uranium: Yorro Community Demands 60% Employments, Full Compensation Before Mining

Mika village in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State will soon become the closure of many from across the globe as the sleepy community will be making history with mining of Uranium in Nigeria.

 

The Federal Ministry of Environment has granted a license to Clarisver Solution to commence exploration and mining of Uranium in Mika village of Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State.

 

The licensing process in Mika Taraba State is the very first in the history of Nigeria covering 26 square kilometres.

 

Mika Village where deposit is located are demanding that the mine

company must guarantee the security of the entire communities surrounding the mining site as well as fully pay compensation to land owners before it commences operation.

 

Representative of the Chief of Kwaji chiefdom Alhaji Gabdo insisted the company must fulfil the promise made to the communities which include; the employment of sixty per cent of the total company workers from the communities, and the provision of social amenities such as water, roads, schools and health facilities.

 

Clarisver Solution Environment consultant, Mr Leonard Kemalolam at a meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment to review the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Uranium mining project said the state government is aware of the project.

 

 

According to him, the impact assessment which had officials of the Taraba state ministry of Environment, Nigerian Nuclear Regulation Authority (NNRA) and the host communities in attendance, was necessary, as it was a prerequisite mandated by the NNRA to critically examine the radiological impact of the project once it commences, and figure out ways to mitigate its effect.

 

He said: "License on Mika Uranium mining is subject to regulation by Nigerian Nuclear Regulation Authority under Nuclear Safety and Radiation protect Act no 9 of 1995. However, the objectives of the Environmental impact assessment are to identify and evaluate the potential environmental and social risks and impacts of the proposed project and recommend measures to mitigate, manage and control the potential risks.

 

"Other key aspect of the Environmental impact assessment of the proposed Uranium mining project in Taraba state is to inform, consult and engage the communities and stakeholders that would be affected by the project and also obtain their feedback.

 

"Clarisver Solution Ltd has followed the Uranium licensing process in compliance with the guidance of the NNRA which is the only authority in Nigeria which can deliver the license to mine and mill uranium in Nigeria."

 

Chairman EIA review panel, Alhaji Kasimu Bayero, said the project would unlock massive economic opportunities for Taraba state and Nigeria, especially through the provision of a good additional source of foreign income to boost revenue generation.

 

Bayero who is a retired Director of pollution control and Environmental Health at the Federal Ministry of Environment, explained that Uranium was a category 1 material that requires compliance with all regulations and guidelines provided by relevant Acts and Laws on Uranium mining.

 

Meanwhile the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Taraba state government to immediately free detained 48 miners allegedly jailed over what it termed illegal mining activities in the state

Its President, Dele Ayanleke  said among the so-called illegal miners now in jail in the State, were seven members of staff of a company with valid Mining Lease, whose operational site was invaded by operatives of the Task Force.