Illegal Mining: Provost, Asagba Of Asaba Clash

The Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta state says there is no illegal mining going on within the campus.

The school issued the rebuttal on the heels of a recent report credited to a traditional ruler in the state, Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, to the effect that some companies are illegally mining laterites in the state.

The management of the institution said those mining on its campus were authorized to do so.

Recall also that Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Mineral Resources recently disclosed that some powerful individuals are behind illegal miners in the country.

Reacting, the Provost of the College, Prof. Josephine Anene-Okeakwa said the monarch had not visited the school to find out whether the mining work going on there is illegal.

She explained that what is being excavated is for the construction of  Koka Road for which the company doing the work had approval from the school management, adding that there is the need “to set the record staright.”

The Provost said, “To set the record straight, the Provost said the college authority gave approval place for escavation for the construction of Koka Road and a road behind the college with a view to reclaiming the land thereafter, wondering how a genuine approval will amount to illegal mining.

“They are not miners. Federal College of Education is aware. We gave them the place to escavate for the construction of Koka Road and the road behind the college to reclaim thereafter. Did they try to find out from us? Mr Ofili Mordi, who just came back from where he went to, jumped into selling our land, and claimed that Asagba of Asaba is aware.

“Does Asagba of Asaba have the mandate to sell Federal Government Land that has a master plan and is lodged with the Town planning? Their write-up and postings are to scare us and confuse people because they know we are aware. The Federal Government is aware of all our activities as I cannot embark on any illegal act.

“We don’t want to join issues with the Asagba of Asaba because he is our father and we respect him. But he should warn those who are using his name to cause embarrassment to the college to desist forthwith as we will not take it lightly with any one bent on dragging the name of the college and my person to the mud,” Anene-Okeakwa stated.