Solid Unit Nig. Ltd, a mining outfit in Plateau closed down over allegations that it was an illegal firm, has declared that it had been licensed by the Federal Government.
Dr. Fayemi Kayode, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, and the National Security Adviser, Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), closed down the company on Monday, after declaring it illegal and illegitimate.
The duo ordered the arrest of the staff of the firm.
But Suleiman Adamu, Public Relations Officer of the company, who briefed newsmen on Tuesday in Jos, said that the company, which is based at Zurak in Wase Local Government, was a legitimate outfit.
Adamu said: “We have been properly licensed to engage in legal and legitimate mining. We have already presented our documents to the minister showing that Solid Unit Nig. Ltd is a legal entity.
“The documents we submitted were duly issued and issued to the company by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Mining Cadastre Office.
“We find the minister’s action shocking; we are surprised because he knows the truth.”
Adamu said that the company had been paying revenues and royalties to the Federal Government.
He said: “We have detailed evidence of such payments. It is shocking to say that we are unknown and illegal.”
The official said that the company had also lived up to its corporate responsibility roles by grading the 100 kilometre Bashar-Kampany-Zurak road, which was an entire bush.
He said: “We have also built and equipped a medical facility in the area, provided an ambulance and also ensured steady electricity and water supply to it.
“Furthermore, we have given scholarships to students, sunk 10 boreholes and executed many other projects.”
He called for the immediate release of the company’s staff arrested on Monday, August 14, and declared their arrest as “unlawfully and illegal”.
He said: “The staff are being detained for no just cause; we suspect that there is an agenda that is being pursued.”
Adamu said that the closure of the firm was “destructive”, adding that the action would discourage investors.
He said that the company would take a legal action if the arrested staff were not released.
Trending
- How FRSC reduced Road Traffic Crashes by 42% – Corps Marshal
- FCCPC uncovers prices in Yen as it grills Chinese supermarket owners + Photos
- Reporters detained for airing music, taking calls from girls
- German police arrest 11 Nigerians laundering money made from dating scam
- Fernandes digs Man U out of hole in win over Sheff United
- Akintoye to Afenifere: Yoruba wants self-determination, not restructuring
- Naira loses 0.64% against dollar at official market
- Re-examining Patriarchy, Faith: Domestic violence, faith integration in Nigeria, by Michael Olatunbosun