SOME miners in Lagos State are demanding N500million compensation from a firm at the Lekki-Epe free zone.
They alleged disruption of their operation.
The miners are seeking the money for alleged permanent loss of use of the area for mining.
They claimed that they hold a mining licence number 21777, issued by the mining cadastre office of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, pursuant to the Mineral and Mining Act 2007.
A firm, Sholaj Group Resources and its associates, are also claiming ownership of the 32100 hectares of land around the surrounding communities on the Lagos-Epe Expressway in Epe Local Government.
Read Also: Tricycle operators protest against ban in Lagos
They alleged through their lawyer, Destiny Obum Takon that they had since stopped operation because of the pipes being laid in the area by the firm. The firm’s activities, they alleged, have made it impossible for them to access their sites, saying there is no alternative route to the place.
The miners accused the firm of not giving them notice before it started laying the pipes, saying this has forced them to default on their obligations to customers.
An official of the firm, who preferred anonymity, denied the allegations, asking the miners to go to court if they wished.
Leave a Reply