The Chairman, Gem Giant Ltd, Dr Babatope Agbeyo, has urged stakeholders and investors in the mining sector to abide by the regulations and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment rules.
He also urged state governments to continue to create an enabling environment for mining activities, saying the move would aid the development of the host community and the economic buoyancy of the nation at large.
Agbeyo gave this advice in a statement he signed on Wednesday after signing a Community Development Agreement with the Faforiji Community in Osun State, over mining activities.
He also called on state governments hosting mining and exploration companies across the nation to accommodate mining investors and assist with the safety and security of both the staff and community members during mining operations.
He appealed to foreign investors to make Nigeria their investment destination and to invest in the mining industry as the environment is conducive, safe and secure.
He said, “I would like to use this opportunity to enjoin the state governments to continue creating an enabling environment for mining activities for the development of the host community and economic buoyancy of the state and nation at large.
“Also, we urge state governments hosting mining and exploration companies across the nation to be accommodating and favourable to mining investors and assist with the safety and security of both the staff and community members during mining operations. This is also an appeal to foreign investors to make Nigeria their investment destination and to invest in the mining industry as the environment is conducive, safe and secure.
“Whenever differences arise, the government should aid in brokering peace between all parties involved. I also implore other mining companies to abide by the regulations and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) rules.”
Speaking, the traditional ruler of the Faforiji community, Oba Adebayo Faforiji, lauded the company for its bold move toward properly exploring mining activity’s potential in commercial quantities.
“We thank God that today we are welcoming Gem Giant, a company that is owned by the son of the soil, born, bred and raised in Faforiji who has volunteered to go around the community to find out if we have a commercial quantity of mineral resources.
“We are praying to God that after signing the agreement today and giving him the approval to go into those areas, he can successfully find gold deposits and other minerals that will benefit the company and the community,” the monarch said.