Edo Community has accused BUA Cement of exploitation, illegal mining, and manipulation.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Imiokpe community in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, has levelled damning allegations against BUA Cement Plc, accusing the company of deliberate manipulation, exploitation, and illegal mining activities without transparency or accountability.
In a strongly worded petition and demand notice addressed to regulatory authorities, the community claimed that BUA Cement is attempting to force a “One-Centre” Community Development Agreement (CDA) across Okpella, a move they say violates Section 116(1) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, which requires mining companies to sign CDAs directly with their genuine host communities.
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“Ownership of land rests squarely on kindreds in Okpella, who by law are recognized as host communities. It is our client, as host community, that BUA Cement Plc is mandated to execute a CDA with — not the entire Okpella clan or any so-called central group,” the petition stated.
According to the community, BUA Cement’s operations have continued unlawfully despite the expiration of the previous “aberrated” CDA in November 2024. The company is accused of illegally extracting limestone, laterite, clay, and iron ore from the Ikpe-Obia and Oke-Igholi mining sites without a valid agreement in place.
The Imiokpe kindred described BUA’s activities as “daylight exploitation”, alleging that the company pays inadequate royalties, shuts out local representatives from employment opportunities, and fails to deliver meaningful infrastructure or social benefits to affected communities.
“BUA’s pattern is to delay, exploit, and profit without fulfilling its legal and moral obligations to its host communities. This aberration will no longer be tolerated,” the statement read.
The community has now issued a seven-day ultimatum to BUA Cement to halt what it termed “manipulative practices” and to immediately negotiate a lawful CDA directly with the legitimate host community.
Failure to comply, they warned, will trigger a full-scale legal action to stop all operations, seek revocation of BUA’s mining licence, and demand compensation for years of alleged exploitation and neglect.
“We are prepared to defend our rights through every lawful means available. If BUA Cement fails to comply with the Minerals and Mining Act, we will go to court to halt its illegal operations and demand justice,” the community declared.
In a scathing conclusion, the petitioners cautioned that no political backing or corporate power would protect BUA from facing the consequences of its alleged misconduct.
“The era of intimidation and exploitation is over. Either BUA obeys the law or faces the full weight of justice,” the statement warned.
