Residents of Tashar Kulili in Rimin Gado Local Government Area of Kano State, where rock crushing companies operate, have decried how such activities threaten their environment, without any compensation.
They also lamented how these companies, most of which are owned by foreigners, do not hire them to work with them and do not provide them with basic facilities, such as boreholes, classrooms or hospitals as part of their corporate social responsibility.
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But the companies said they were doing their best to offer some payback to the host communities, and that they did not start operation until they got the government’s approval.
Residents of the community who spoke with Daily Trust Saturday complained that for close to a decade that the companies have been operating in their domain, they have not benefitted anything of substance in return.
Our only route to neighbouring communities destroyed – Residents
Abdullahi Magaji, one of the residents of Tashar Kulili, lamented that one of the three companies operating in the area had destroyed the only route to their farms and neighbouring communities.
He said, “This is the only way to our farms. And we are mostly farmers. This is rainy season and it is from this place that we transport our produce. We are appealing to the appropriate authorities to help us recover this road.
“On various occasions, the company recruited staff but never considered us, except two drivers they started with some eight years ago.”
We started having problems even before work started – Village head
The village head of Tashar Dan Kulili, Dan-Azumi Mai Unguwa, said they started having issues with one of the companies even before the commencement of its operation.
“This road had been in existence until this company came and converted it to one of its sites. I personally met them about it and they promised to construct another one for us. But they haven’t started anything yet.
“This is the road that leads us to other communities, as far as Tofa Local Government Area. It also leads to our farms. They are trying to block and divert it to their company,” he lamented.
The village head also lamented that most of the buildings in the village had suffered some cracks as a result of the impact of rock crushing by the companies.
“There are three companies operating in our community, though only two are properly working. The third one was just set up and is yet to begin. We sat with them and agreed that any building that cracked they would see what they would do.
“We had a similar issue with them before now, but what they usually gave as compensation was very little when compared with the loss. We are just managing.
“Whenever they crush the rocks, there is one red thick smoke that goes up, and environmental scientists have warned that it is not good for our health. But because we have no option, we just have to keep quiet. We did all we could to solicit support, but all efforts have proved abortive,” he added.
The community leader called on the government to pay attention to their plight.
“Even the water we drink has dried up, courtesy of the crushing. Two streams where we source water from have also dried up,” he further said.
Dan-Azumi, however, said one of the villagers who was once affected by one of the companies’ operation was taken to hospital and all the bills were taken care of by the company.
‘We’ll build new road one for them’
When Daily Trust Saturday contacted one of the companies on the controversy over the road, the person who spoke to our correspondent said they were working on building a better one for the community.
“When we came, we realised that there was a road here, but because of the nature of our work, we decided to move it so that people won’t be affected.
“It is the misunderstanding we had that led to this. As soon as we finish what we are doing, we will build another one for them.
“On corporate social responsibility, our company just started operation, but we will do our best to consider them,” the staff who spoke on behalf of the company said.
Also reacting to the allegations, one of the companies, which is also the contractor of the Kano-Katsina road dualisation project, said their work was temporary; hence they would leave immediately the project is completed.
The spokesperson of the company, Yahaya Muhammad said, “Whatever happens to anyone or building as a result of our work, we will take responsibility. We will also do our best to assist these communities.”
We’re not aware – Kano government
When contacted, the Kano State Ministry of Environment, through its spokesperson, Sunusi Kofar Na’isa, said the ministry was not aware of the plight of the community, explaining that they had not received any formal complaint in that regard. He, however, said they would investigate and take necessary action.
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