The Ebonyi South Youths Assembly (ESYA) has dismissed allegations made by the Labour Party governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Mr Splendour Oko-Eze, over the management of the state's mineral resources, describing his comments as misleading and indicative of what it termed a poor understanding of the constitutional responsibilities of government.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National President, Comrade Odii Njoku, the group said Oko-Eze's recent social media publication titled "Is Ebonyi State Really a Poor State?" contained misinformation capable of misleading members of the public.
According to the Assembly, while every citizen has the constitutional right to criticise government, such criticism should be guided by facts, the law and a proper understanding of governance rather than what it described as emotional rhetoric and political sensationalism.
The group argued that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), alongside the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, vests the ownership, control, licensing and regulation of solid minerals exclusively in the Federal Government through the Exclusive Legislative List.
It maintained that no state governor has the constitutional authority to issue mining licences or independently exploit mineral resources, insisting that holding Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru responsible for matters within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government was legally and constitutionally misplaced.
The Assembly stated that Governor Nwifuru had instead adopted what it described as a lawful and practical approach by collaborating with the Federal Government, licensed mining companies and relevant regulatory agencies to ensure that host communities benefit from mining activities.
It further claimed that the administration had prioritised the enforcement of Community Development Agreements (CDAs), environmental compliance and compensation for affected landowners rather than engaging in political rhetoric.
The group also highlighted what it described as achievements recorded by the state government in the mining sector, citing disclosures by the immediate past Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr Chidi Emmanuel Onyia, that more than ₦5 billion had been secured through Community Development Agreements and compensation packages for mining host communities across the state.
According to the statement, the interventions include Community Development Agreements valued at over ₦4 billion, compensation exceeding ₦500 million for landowners in Ndufu-Alike Ikwo and additional compensation for other affected communities before the commencement of mining operations.
It also listed scholarship opportunities for more than 1,000 students from mining host communities, as well as the construction of roads, health centres, classroom blocks, laboratories, electricity projects and potable water schemes funded through Community Development Agreements.
The Assembly further said the Nwifuru administration had strengthened the enforcement of host community rights, protected vulnerable landowners against exploitation and introduced reforms aimed at improving transparency, environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance in the mining sector.
Among the reforms listed were statewide inspections of mining and quarry sites, compulsory reclamation of abandoned mining pits, strict enforcement of Environmental Impact Assessment requirements, measures to curb revenue leakages, improved workers' welfare and enhanced monitoring of mining operations, including efforts to halt the illegal night movement of mineral resources.
The group argued that the existence of mineral deposits alone does not automatically translate into economic prosperity, stressing that sustainable development requires constitutional compliance, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, prudent public administration and sound economic planning.
It maintained that these principles were being implemented through Governor Nwifuru's People's Charter of Needs Agenda.
While acknowledging the importance of opposition in a democratic society, the Assembly urged political actors to engage in constructive, fact-based criticism rather than what it described as misinformation and constitutional inaccuracies.
It called on Oko-Eze to acquaint himself with the provisions of the Constitution and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act before making public pronouncements on issues relating to the mining sector.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible public discourse and supporting initiatives aimed at advancing peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity in Ebonyi State.
