The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD Nigeria) has called on Total Value Quarry Limited Company and AI Quarry Limited to urgently address alleged environmental degradation, destruction of community roads and disruption of livelihoods linked to quarrying activities in Asaba Lekwesi Obiagu Autonomous Community, Umuchieze, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, FENRAD said the demand followed field reports, engagements with affected residents and information obtained from community stakeholders on the impact of quarry operations in the area.
The organisation expressed particular concern over the alleged deterioration of major access roads caused by the continuous movement of heavy-duty trucks transporting quarry materials.
According to FENRAD, several roads in the community have become severely damaged and virtually impassable, making movement unsafe for residents and restricting access to homes, schools, healthcare facilities, markets and places of worship.
It also raised concerns over alleged accelerated erosion, recurrent flooding, obstruction or destruction of drainage channels and other forms of environmental degradation associated with quarrying activities.
FENRAD said agricultural activities had equally been affected, with reports of destruction of farmlands, reduced crop yields and loss of livelihoods among farming families.
The organisation called for a comprehensive environmental assessment of affected areas, followed by full remediation and ecological restoration where necessary.
FENRAD also expressed concern over reports that some youths from the affected community who peacefully protested the prevailing conditions were allegedly arrested and compelled to sign documents under duress before their release.
While noting that it was still seeking clarification and verification of the allegations, the organisation said any intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest or coercion of residents exercising their rights to peaceful expression and assembly would be unacceptable.
It urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that community members could exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation or unlawful interference.
The group called on the quarry companies to reconstruct damaged community roads to appropriate engineering standards capable of accommodating heavy vehicular traffic and construct an alternative access road to ensure uninterrupted movement for residents while quarry operations continue.
It also demanded comprehensive erosion-control, flood-mitigation and drainage-improvement measures, as well as environmental assessments and appropriate ecological restoration of affected areas.
The organisation further called for compensation, rehabilitation and livelihood support for farmers, landowners and other residents whose property, businesses or means of livelihood had allegedly been adversely affected, subject to proper assessment and applicable law.
FENRAD also demanded an end to any alleged intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest or coercion of community members and urged the companies to establish a transparent and structured mechanism for engaging legitimate community representatives and other stakeholders.
The foundation further proposed an urgent multi-stakeholder meeting involving the quarry companies, representatives of the host community, relevant government ministries and regulatory agencies, traditional institutions, youth and women leaders, community groups and other stakeholders.
It said the meeting should produce a clear framework for engagement, identify immediate remedial actions, establish implementation timelines and create an independent monitoring mechanism to assess compliance with agreed environmental, social and human rights obligations.
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FENRAD said it had formally requested written responses from the companies within 14 days of receiving its demand, outlining the measures they intended to take to address the concerns raised.
“Failure to take appropriate corrective measures could lead it to pursue lawful advocacy, regulatory, administrative and judicial remedies, including petitions and complaints to relevant regulatory and accountability institutions.
“Responsible quarrying and mineral-resource development must not come at the expense of environmental sustainability, community safety, livelihoods and human dignity.
“We urge the quarry companies, government authorities and community representatives to approach the matter with urgency, transparency and good faith in order to achieve a lasting and accountable resolution,” the group said.
