By: Samson Osuo-Lafia.

Nasarawa State government has directed Lideal Mines Company in Endo Community of Udege Development Area to immediately evacuate the site and look for a way to negotiate with the government.

The State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, gave the directive through the State Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Margret Elayo, during a Media briefing in Lafia.

According to the Commissioner, “following a series of engagements, stakeholder consultations, security reports and developments surrounding mining activities within the affected cadastral units, the Nasarawa State Government has directed Lideal Mines Company to immediately commence the withdrawal of all its operational facilities, mining equipment, machinery, trucks, and personnel from the site”.

The Commissioner stated that the decision of the State Government to compel the Company to evacuate the site is in line with the commitment of the present administration of the State to uphold lawful mining practices, maintain peace within host communities, and ensure strict compliance with government directives and established operational procedures within the area. 

She said the directive also mandates the immediate cessation of all forms of mining operations and movement of raw materials from the site.

Elayo declared that the decision was also taken in the overriding public interest and in furtherance of ongoing efforts to reposition the mining sector in the State toward responsible investment, local value addition, community participation, and sustainable economic development.

 “His Excellency has consistently maintained that mining activities within the State must align with the policy direction of the Government, particularly the requirement for investors to establish functional processing facilities that directly benefit host communities and contribute meaningfully to the State’s economy”. 

She said in furtherance of this directive, the State Government shall immediately deploy security personnel to the mining site to ensure total compliance with the directive and to prevent any unauthorized activity at the location. 

The deployment, according to her, will involve relevant security agencies mandated to maintain law and order and secure government interests within the affected area.