Mines ministry to partner with FCTA on indiscriminate buildings around quarries
The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, says it will collaborate with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to address indiscriminate buildings around all quarry sites in Abuja.
Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development made this known when he visited Zeberced Group quarry site in Kubwa, Abuja on Wednesday.
Adegbite said some of the houses built around the quarry did not exist before the company was sited in 2007.
He said in spite of laws guiding quarries in Nigeria, many people still encroached and build houses close to the perimeter fence.
“There was an extreme case where someone built house close to the perimeter fence of Zeberced, which is worst and gross illegality.
“We will take this up with the Minister of FCT to do something about buildings encroaching the perimeter fence of the company and other quarry sites,” he said.
Adegbite said that most of the houses built around the company did not have planning permits as FCT would not approve building permit to anyone to build close to quarries.
He commended the company for investing in Nigeria for the value it was adding to the economy and job creation opportunity for Nigerian youths.
He urged the Federal Government to acknowledge the investor with Nigerian citizenship for adding value and contributing to the economy.
Earlier, the Managing Director, Zeberced Group, Mr Adil Kurt said that the company was established in 2007 and commenced quarry operation in 2008.
He said the company has 755 staff, 692 Nigerians and 63 foreigners.
According to him, the company is planning to build school, borehole among others as community development promised while obtaining the quarry licence.
He said that the quarry project would last for about 30 years and this calls for the company to empower the people in the community.
On the Abuja Industrial Park project at Idu being constructed by Zeberced, he said that the Phase 1 of the industrial zone site had been levelled completely.
He said that significant success had been recorded by the company on the industrial park sited on 250 hectares.
He said that the land would accommodate 200 factories, waste management plant, schools, hotels, banks, 100 mw power supply among others.
He called on the Federal Government to replicate such projects in every state across the country as it could reduce unemployment.
