Residents of several mining host communities in Cross River State have accused cement manufacturer Lafarge Africa Plc of benefiting from their natural resources while leaving the communities to grapple with environmental degradation, poverty and poor infrastructure.
The concerns were raised during a town hall meeting on mining, livelihoods, environmental protection and community participation held in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. The event was organised by We The People in partnership with Policy Alert under the “Waiting We Gain” project.
Community representatives from Akansoko, Mfamosing, Akwa-Ikot Effanga, Abiati and Mbobui argued that decades of limestone mining have generated enormous wealth for the company but have brought little development to the areas where the resources are extracted.
A consultant with Policy Alert, Mfon Gabriel, said Community Development Agreements, which are intended to define the obligations of mining companies to host communities, have either been absent or poorly implemented since mining activities began in the area.
According to Gabriel, affected communities have been denied the benefits promised to them and deserve adequate compensation for years of unmet development commitments. He called for the establishment of a binding agreement that reflects the needs and consent of residents while addressing the neglect they have experienced.
Gabriel also urged the Federal Ministry of Environment and relevant regulatory agencies to conduct independent environmental audits of Lafarge’s operations. He alleged that mining activities have caused pollution, destruction of economic trees, dust emissions and other environmental problems affecting local livelihoods.
He further appealed to the Cross River State Government to ensure that mining royalties and derivation funds are invested in the development of host communities rather than being concentrated in urban areas.
According to him, communities bearing the environmental and social costs of mining should be prioritised in the distribution of the benefits generated from their resources.
Speaking at the meeting, Executive Director of We The People, Ken Henshaw, said prolonged mining activities have exposed residents to health risks, environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods and deteriorating infrastructure.
Henshaw also criticised the exclusion of host communities from major decisions concerning mining operations. He alleged that companies often determine benefits without meaningful consultation, while some local elites act as intermediaries who divert opportunities meant for community members.
He stressed that the initiative aims to empower residents to demand accountability and actively participate in decisions affecting their natural resources.
Henshaw further alleged that the Cross River State Government may not be receiving the full royalties due from mining operations, claiming that available data indicates discrepancies in revenue declarations. He said greater community involvement in monitoring mining activities would promote transparency and accountability.
Also speaking, a stakeholder from Abiati community, Raphael Effiong, blamed some of the challenges on local contractors and community leaders. He alleged that contractors awarded jobs under local content arrangements often recruit workers from outside the host communities while overlooking qualified local youths.
Effiong urged community leaders and contractors to be more accountable and ensure that development projects are executed according to approved standards for the benefit of residents.