BENIN CITY- Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki has ordered the arrest of two officials of BUA cement company for flouting government directive to stop work at the disputed Obu mining site at Okpella Etsako East local government area of Edo state.
He gave the orders when he visited the site in company of Edo State commissioner of police, commander 4 Brigade, comandant Nigeria Security Defence Corp (NSCDC), Director state security (DSS), Commisioner for mining.
Obaseki said the mining site in question was in dispute and the case is in court for determination of the true owner of the site.
“The dispute on the said mining site is in court for determination and the Federal Minister of Mines Kayode Fayemi gave a specific instruction for work to stop in the site pending the determination of the case. BUA disobeyed government orders and are working in the site”.
The governor who was not happy with the management of BUA for flouting government instruction to stop work on the disputed mining site immediately ordered the arrest of two BUA officials on the site pending when the managment of BUA give explanation for disobeying government orders.
Obaseki expressed dis-satisfaction over the conduct of BUA managment publishing in the media that Edo State Government has no right or authority to enforce Federal Government order.
“Their action and such utterances is dangerous for the nation. This action can degenerate and lead to chaos that will threaten the peace of the state”.
He said his administration places value on human lives and will do all to ensure that the state experience peace, unity and development.
Obaseki said the interest of Edo State government on the matter is to ensure peace and the maintainance of law and order in state.
Edo State Commissioner of police Johnson Kokumo maintained that since the ownership of the mining site was in court, both paties must obey court order.
The 4 Brigade Commander Brigadier General Ibrahaim Garba ordered retrieval of all explosives at Obu mining site.
At the palace of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella A.Y. Idirisu, governor Obaseki said he was in his palace to inform him of government decision on the Obu mining site to ensure peace is maintained.
In his response the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella Alhaji A.Y Idirisu thanked the governor for ensuring peace in his domain promising to assist the government to ensure peace reign in Okpella.
