The Itasa community in the Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State has raised concerns regarding what they described as illegal and destructive mining activities conducted by Architype Industries Nigeria Limited and other miners in the area.
The community expressed concern over the potential for further crises, including terrorism and banditry, linked to illegal mining activities.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Prof. Bayo Aborisade who addressed the media on behalf of the community, alleged that the company has exploited their land for nearly two decades without fulfilling its legal and social obligations.
He alleged that the company has flouted the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, particularly the requirement to sign a Community Development Agreement (CDA) with host communities before commencing operations.
“We prepared the CDA and requested the Managing Director of Architype Industries Nigeria Limited, Engr. Ajibade, to document his objections so that we can have a negotiated agreement. He refused. Instead, the Mines Environmental Compliance (MEC) Officer continues to call us to negotiate at his whim. And we ask: negotiate what?” Aborisade queried.
He further alleged that some government officials have compromised their positions, enabling illegal mining activities that fuel banditry, kidnapping, and environmental destruction in the community.
“Regrettably, communities are left exposed to lawless investors who traverse the land with police escorts, throw communities into agony, and leave posterity a bleak future of penury and diseases,” he said.
According to them, this disregard for the community’s rights has reportedly caused significant harm to local biodiversity, health, and livelihoods.
The community claimed that Architype Industries does not possess a valid consent instrument from the Itasa community, a fundamental requirement for any mining operation.
“They have not conducted an approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to beginning mining activities, as mandated by law.”
“This blatant disregard for due process has left our environment vulnerable to severe degradation,” Aborisade stated.
The community, however, highlighted that the company is not operating under a valid Community Development Agreement (CDA), despite repeated requests to sign the CDA that was prepared and delivered to them on December 4, 2024.
“There has been no geographical survey presented to us, even after we requested to see it, raising serious questions about the sustainability and safety of their mining operations across our land,” the community representative added.
“For twenty years, the community alleges that the company has operated with impunity, facilitated by compromised officials from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, particularly from its Mines Environment Compliance Department at the Southwest Zonal Office in Ibadan.”
The Itasa community called on the federal and state governments, civil society organizations, and the international community to take immediate action.
They demanded that all mining activities by Architype Industries Nigeria Limited and other companies be halted until all legal requirements are met, including the signing of the Community Development Agreement.
Additionally, they demanded an investigation into the role of government officials in enabling these alleged illegal activities, holding them accountable, and providing support for the Itasa community to restore their environment and livelihoods.
Also speaking at the conference , Dr. Doyin Odebowale, former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Special Duties to the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), decried the level of impunity in the illegal mining sector, calling for decisive action against offenders.
“I have visited Itasa in Iwajowa Local Government, and I can tell you that now is the right time to flush them out for the safety of the community,” he declared.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Itasa Community Development Association, Alhaji Banji Isiaka Odedele, commended stakeholders for their unwavering support in tackling illegal mining and protecting the environment.
Also present at the event were Barr. Femi Aborisade, a renowned human rights lawyer, and Barr. Adenike, Chief of Staff at JDPC, who reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring environmental justice and protecting Itasa’s residents from the dangers of illegal mining.
