RUITAI MINING COMPANY, IBENO, TO RESUME OPERATIONS

The Hon. Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Chief Uno Etim Uno, acting on the directive of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, delivered the authorization notice today October 2, 2023 to the Chinese owner and Managing Director of the mining company, Zentzhong Huan at Esuk Ikim Akeme community in Ibeno LGA, operational site of the Mining Company.

The Environment Commissioner, Uno, leading a joint ministerial team involving the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources; Ministry of Lands and Housing led by the Hon. Commissioner, Captain Iniobong Ekong, and conducted round the mining site by the Ibeno Council Chairman, High Chief Williams Mkpa, disclosed that Government's decision to lift the sanctions placed on the illegal mining engagement was sequel to the company's compliance with the prescribed regulatory standard which led to its being issued with operational license by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, recently.

Chief Uno, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Iquo Abia, Esq called on the management of the Chinese-owned company to honour its own part of contract with the state government via due and timely fiscal remittances, discharge of its corporate social responsibilities, and incorporation of local contents component in the personnel composition and management of the company, in an intentionally preserved environment.

The Environment helmsman called on the DPO of Ibeno LGA, Mr. Victor Ezekwu, to ensure the security of the mining operators, as their operations have been declared legitimate.

Also speaking, the Hon. Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Captain Iniobong Ekong cautioned Ruitai Mining Company to uphold its Community Development Agreement (CDA) with the State Government in its dispensation of certain privileges and entitlements to the host communities.

While the Lands and Water Resources Commissioner, Captain Ekong, charged the company on fidelity to its duty of revenue remittances to the state government, Captain Ekong also challenged the MD of the company, Huan, to be committed to the task of environmental preservation in the course of the mining operations, stressing that the magnitude of benefits accruing from any investment do not matter to Government when the ecosystem is damaged.

Responding, the MD of the mining company, Zentzhong Huan speaking through his Secretary, Bright Li, thanked the State Government for restoring the operational rights of the company. The MD, Huan, particularly expressed gratitude to the state government for engaging the services of the security agents for purposes of providing safety in the course of the company's operations, even as he pledged to honour the company's agreement both with the State government and with the host communities.

It would be recalled that Ruitai Mining Company in Esuk Ikim Akeme community, Ibeno LGA, comprising dominantly Chinese mining operators, was operating illegally as it hitherto had no mining license. Besides, its mode of operations had damaging impacts on the environment, even as its engagements with the host communities had violated the local contents law.

Following the aforementioned anomalies, the State Government through the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, had terminated its operations; but with its recent fulfilment of relevant operational conditions earlier prescribed by the State Government, a license legalizing its operations has been issued by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. Hence, the directive from the State Government for its resumption of operations.

Also comprised within the joint ministerial team were the director of Mineral Resources in the Environment ministry, Mrs. Emem Ibokette and her Flood and Erosion Control counterpart, Mr. Okon Udo; DPO of Ibeno LGA, Mr. Victor Ezekwu and some Ibeno stakeholders.

Information Unit

MEMR