Host Communities of the Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) in Guyuk Local Government Areas on Wednesday, begged Adamawa State House of Assembly to stop the DSR's expansion on their farmlands. News Platform
According to the inhabitants of the communities, with the ongoing expansion on their farmlands, there will be no food for them and their wives and children, and that they will die of starvation.
The communities under Kola, Zakawon and Dumna Districts pleaded with the House of Assembly in a Memoranda read and submitted by their Secretary, Hon. Nelson Dalko, to the Ad Hoc Committee of the Assembly on Farmland Dispute headed by the Member representing Maiha constituency, Hon. Ahmed Jingi Belel.
Aside the communities' memeranda, the Lunguda Development Association (LDA), also submitted a supporting memo tagged, "Our Frustration with Dangote Sugar Refinery: The position of LDA on current face-off between DSR and Guyuk Host Community".
It was read and submitted by the National President LDA, and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Ibrahim Andrew Welye, Kwalmila Nunguraya II, to the Chairman of the House Committee.
The communities under the 3 districts affected by the ongoing expansion work by DSR include Boshikiri, Zakawon, Dumna Burthi, Dumna Zerbu, Dumna Tsalbu, Kerau, Theble and Kola jointly submitted the memo when the committee visited their communities.
While submitting their memoranda on behalf of the Districts Heads, Hon. Nelson Dalko, noted with concern how DSR is trying by all means to displace them of their remaining smaller portion of farmlands.
Hon. Nelson, said that the DSR had pushed them to the wall ; hence, their decision to protest in order to draw the attention of Govemor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and the House of Assembly to their plight.
He told the committee that even when the portion of land DSR is occupying was allocated to it, the company's compensation committee did not visit host communities of Lungada Chiefdom to pay compensation.
According to him, their communities did not see any effort by the DSR to provide social amenities such as feeder roads, clinics or dispensaries, schools, water supply, employment opportunities and scholarship scheme among others for over 50 years.
He pleaded with the government to ask the DSR to compensate them on the existing land it is currently occupying, and vowed to resist further expansion on their farmlands.
Hon. Nelson, further pleaded that the status quo should be maintained, and urged the lawmakers and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, to intervene in order to end the dispute.
On his part, the National President LDA, Chief Ibrahim A. Welye, Kwalmila Nunguraya II, commended the House of Assembly for setting up the committee and also appreciated the committee's time and effort in addressing their grievances.
Chief Welye, informed the committee that in the interest of peace, the LDA aligns with the immediate host communities in demanding that DSR remove machinery and restore the farmlands, and appealed to the Governor to intervene to prevent further conflict.
"The refusal of DSR to respond to these correspondences has led to the perception of deprivation and misfortune among the Lunguda Community as a direct result of DSR's operations.
"Rather than address our concerns, DSR has resorted to divisive tactics, revealing the contents of our communications to neighboring host communities, potentially fostering disunity.
"DSR's role in escalating tensions with the Lunguda host communities is troubling. Following a tripartite meeting held on 19th November, 2024 involving DSR, the host communities, and Governor Fintiri, we submitted a memorandum outlining demands for DSR to engage Lunguda host communities before any operation affecting farmlands. Despite this, DSR proceeded without consultation or engagement". He lamented.
Several people who spoke including the Chairman Guyuk LGC, Barr. Kassa Shallom who was represented, Administrator Guyuk Development Area, Dr. John Pwari, representative of youth, Wantu Dumna among others thanked the lawmakers for their effort to resolve the lingering dispute.
They appealed to House of Assembly to direct DSR to stop expansion until the resolution of the matter by host communities and relevant authorities.
Addressing the communities earlier, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee and the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Ahmed Jingi Belel (Maiha), said that the committee was constituted and mandated to come receive their complaints pertaining their dispute with DSR.
Hon. Ahmed, said that the member representing them raised the matter of public concern affecting them as a result of which the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, mandated them to receive their complaints so as to proffer a lasting solution.
He commended the traditional institutions for their role in the maintenance of peace and stability, and called on the inhabitants of the chiefdom to continue to support them.
The legislator pledged the committee's commitment to do justice to all their grievances so as to ensure peace between the host communities and the DSR.
In his vote of thanks, the Member representing Guyuk constituency, Hon. Sunday Peter, appreciated them for the opportunity given to him to represent them, saying that he cannot be at the assembly without their support.
Hon. Sunday Peter, said that the committee visited the communities because of the motion he had sponsored, and commended them for their support and urged them to continue to embrace peace.
Hon. Ahmed Jingi Belel led committee was also at the palace of Kwandi Nunguraya, Kuruhaye Dishon Dansanda, where he briefed him about the purpose of the visit and sought for his royal blessing.
Responding, the Paramount Ruler, expressed appreciation for the visit, saying that Governor Fintiri had since intervened in the matter during their meeting at the DSR.
Kwandi Nunguraya told the committee that during the November 2024 meeting chaired by the Governor, his humble self snd other Paramount Rulers made submissions on the grievances and the demands of their people and that correspondences to that effect are going on.
The membership of the Ad Hoc committee include Hon. Ahmed Jingi Belel (Chairman), Hon. Sunday Peter (Guyuk), Hon. Pwamwakeno Mackondo (Numan), Hon. Kantomon Bulus Naftali (Shelleng) and Hon. Bauna Myandasa (Lamurde ).
No comments:
Post a Comment