The world now eagerly awaits a decisive intervention of the Nigerian government following the public consciousness triggered by the recent open letter from Libata Community in Ngaski, Kebbi State to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the lingering industrial dispute between Three Crown Mines Limited and El-Tahdam Exploration Limited over the mine there.
The letter written by Libata Development Committee Cooperative Society with the title, “Open Letter and Appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Reopen and allow Three Crown Mines Company to Continue Mining in their Licensed Site at Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area Of Kebbi State, and signed by the community’s signatories, the community backed Three Crown, urging President Tinubu To step in and ensure that justice is served for peace to reign.
The host community lamented that the industrial face-off between the two companies for more than one year and the subsequent freezing of the operations of Three Crown which has been mining there with all the necessary legitimate documents and permission of the people has stalled further economic development in the area.
“We, the people of Libata community are inspired by our deep desire for peace and the continuous development of our community to appeal to you to intervene and ensure that only justice is done in an ongoing industrial dispute between Three Crown Mines Limited and El-Tahdam Exploration Limited.
“Mr. President, the industrial dispute of over one year has seriously threatened the industrial and economic development of Libata community. Specifically, it has led to avoidable setback in the areas of health and educational infrastructural development among other beneficial projects which were in progress under the auspices of Three Crown Mines Limited.
“We are concerned, and we write because as the beneficial host community, we have everything to lose unless justice is speedily done.
“Your Excellency, Libata community is known for peace. Recently, the community has come to be known for its support for your administration and constituted authorities. Our community is blessed with lithium mineralisation. We wish to state categorically that Three Crown Mines Limited is the first company that came to our community to explore the mineral. The company was licensed in 2023.
“Before it started operation, the company ensured compliance with all rules laid down by the state government under Comrade Nasir Idris, to halt illegal mining in the state. We make bold to state that the company complied with all the regulations of the sector and directives of the state.
“The company validly obtained and put to use two licences in 2023 of 27CU (5.4 km square} with EL-NO.45158 and SSMLNO. 46216 at the site.
“In line with the law governing mining activities, Three Crown Mines Limited obtained all required permits, not only at federal and state government levels, but also at the level of the host community by signing a valid Community Development Agreement (CDA) detailing the projects it will execute, empowerment of the members of the community and ultimately, the enhancement of human welfare,” the letter read in part.
According to the community, Three Crown has been living up to its social responsibilities. They said since its commencement of activities on the site, the company had carried out very important community projects/activities as spelt out in the CDA.
They mentioned some of such projects to include construction of a 13 kilometre road linking Kebbi and Niger communities, and a modern and sufficiently equipped hospitals at Libata and Kabirba villages; sponsoring of 50 youths of the community with scholarship at tertiary institutions: funding of the trips of 45 members of the community to the holy land of Mecca for Hajj this year – 2025; payment of 13 months NEPA bills for the entire community, medical bills for various sick persons in the community, as well as
monthly salaries to traditional and religious leaders, youths, women, people with special needs and elders of the community; empowering of women with startup grants for business among others.
The letter read further: Trouble started “when a mining company that is not known to our community and with whom we did not sign a CDA, El-Tahdam Exploration intruded and halted the peaceful development of Libata.
“Without authorisation from our community, El-Tahdam intruded in the lithium-rich fields of Libata, seized 10 Cadastre Units (CUS) out of the licensed 27 CUs belonging to Three Crown Mines.
“Mr President, you will agree that lawless is unjust and cannot be justified, and should not be condoned in our dear country and elsewhere around the world.
“Libata community is known for peace. We believe in peace and hospitality, and we will never resort to lawlessness.
“Our efforts to restore development: As a responsible community that has respect for laws and constituted authorities, we tabled our complaint to relevant organs and agencies of government but the issue is yet to be addressed.”
Making their appeal, the community said, “Mr President, we painstakingly appeal to your administration to rise up to the responsibility of addressing the mineral licensing issues responsible for the face-off between the companies.
“To the best of our knowledge, Three Crown Mines has obtained all relevant documents and permits required by law, and has consistently presented the documents required. We challenge El-Tahdam Exploration to do the same if indeed it has a valid Community Development Agreement, a requirement for lawful mining engagement in Nigeria.
“As a result of the inaction on the part of government to make categorical statement regarding the issues responsible for the challenge, as well as the silence of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Mining Cadastre Office despite the order of court encouraging the authorities to determine the lawful holder of the valid license, we have no choice than to seek your intervention.
“Your Excellency, Libata community is threatened by the Mining Marshals of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and have blackmailed the company as an illegal mining organisation. The securities (Military and Police) that contribute in maintaining the hard-earned peace in the community have been sent out of the community and the company’s site sealed from carrying out mining activities.
“Mr President, Libata ward is a community that has been loyal and always votes for the ruling party, APC, and we have the largest votes of APC in the local government area. In the last elections, we voted for Your Excellency as President and Comrade Nasir Idris as executive governor of Kebbi State, irrespective of tribe and section because we know you are capable and evidently merited the position as had been demonstrated by Your Excellency’s track record during your administration as the executive governor of Lagos State. In this regard, we have unanimously resolved to re-elect Your Excellency and our governor come 2027 by Allah’s grace.
“Sequel to the above, we would like to request and appeal to Your Excellency Sir, to reciprocate the gesture made by the community in electing the ruling party with your humane and sympathetic mind to address our problem.
“If your Excellency wades into this matter, we assure you that you will find that Three Crown Mines Limited is not only the legitimate owner of the mining site in question by virtue of the available legal documentation, but also deserving of peaceful possession and conduct of business activities on the said site.
“We are neither ingrates nor betrayers, and it is our humble but fervent hope and prayers that Your Excellency, would agree with out collective position, as a community. The peace and security of the community and its environs is currently threatened while the socio-economic activities have been completely grounded resulting to hardship due to the stoppage of the company from carrying out its legal mining activities.
“Our several unemployed youths who depend on the company for survival are now unfortunately stranded due to the Mining Marshals interruption of the company’s mining activities.
“Conclusively, we appeal to Your Excellency to intervene and ensure that justice is done to our community; address the lingering problems and unseal the mining site for the company to continue to work. The company, we are hopeful, will also bring back the securities (Military and Police) to the community to continue to secure lives and properties.
“This will continue to foster progress and development in the community, local government, state, and the nation at large,” the stakeholders added, in the open letter to the president.
