Investigation into alleged sexual exploitation of girls in mining camps – RDI tells Nasarawa State Assembly – BONews Service

Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has urged the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to immediately initiate an investigation into the alleged exploitation of young girls by miners in mining communities in Nasarawa State.

RDI, in a petition to the Chairman of the House Committee on the Environment, explained that exploitation of young girls has increased in Uke District in Karu Local Government Area of ​​the state following the commencement of gold and lithium mining there. .

The petition reads in part that “we have also learned of an alleged flourishing sex slavery and trade, allegedly perpetrated by mining traders operating in Abuni who are exploiting young girls, some as young as 13 years old, who are being taken from their homes lured with promises of gifts, with negative consequences now in the community, including teenage pregnancies.”

RDI reported that the exploitation of young girls is carried out by licensed and illegal miners.

The group also reported that mining activities are polluting water in the community and endangering the lives of residents.

The petition reads in part that “to worsen an already bad situation, a Chinese mining company – Multiverse Mining Company is now making the lives of the people a hell on earth through their reckless mining of solid minerals outside of approved locations, indiscriminately blowing up rocks. that continues to shake the foundations of the community and the environmentally unfriendly practice of diverting mine wastewater to agricultural lands and the Rafin Jaki River, where locals fish.

“We found out that sewage discharged into the Rafin Jaki River was responsible for the deaths of nine children in 2023 after they developed serious and unexplained illnesses after swimming in the water. Every attempt by the people of the community, including the Concerned Awe Youths, to get the company to stop their illegal practices has hit a wall as the company officials say they only have to deal with the state government and not with the host community.

RDI, in the petition jointly signed by Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI; Barr Chima Williams, Executive Director, Environmental Defenders Network; Comrade Sani Baba, Executive Director of the Citizens Free Service Forum, and Dr. Kelechi Okezie, Executive Director of the Neighborhood Environment Watch Foundation, demanded an immediate investigation into all reported issues.

The group demanded that the Nasarawa State House of Assembly “undertake a fact-finding visit to the Abuni community, with particular focus on the communities surrounding the mining sites and the Rafin Jaki River. The Uke district should also be visited.

“Conduct a comprehensive environmental audit of Abuni community, Uke district and its environs, including their water source and farm environment; Revoke the mining license of Multiverse Mining Company if the investigation reveals a violation of Nigerian environmental laws;

“Compel Multiverse Mining Company to take full responsibility for the cleanup and other environmental restoration efforts in the Abuni community; Force Multiverse Mining Company to pay compensation to affected people;

“Stop artisanal mining practices that are impacting the people and environment in Abuni community and Uke district; Conduct proper supervision of mining activities in Abuni, Uke District and other mining communities in Nasarawa State.

“Investigate and investigate the agreements reached between the mining companies and some unscrupulous traditional rulers whose actions have endangered their communities.”