Residents of Tse-Kucha community in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State have protested against Dangote Cement Company over alleged neglect following the limestone dust ravaging the community and its environs.
It was gathered that the protesters were provoked by the limestone dust and erosion ravaging a substantial part of the community.
The protesters, who were armed with placards with inscription such as “We are a peaceful people and does not envisage a break down of law and order,” “Save Tse Kucha from the ravaging limestone dust ,” “We produce the limestone for Dangote Cement and deserve better ” etc lamented the community is suffering untold hardship from the exploitation of limestone.
The protesters, under the aegis of Quarry Families Association in Gboko, say until something tangible is done to address their deplorable plight, there will be no more work at the Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant.
OsunDailyNG gathered that last week the families began camping on the fringes of the limestone quarry at Tse Kucha, near Gboko, in protest against what they consider the company’s insensitivity to their plight.
It is however feared that what started as a peaceful protest may soon turn into confrontation as the peaceful protesters say they have been warned by the military to vacate or face maximum force.
One of the protesters said if this happened, it won’t be the first time because several members of the families who made way for mining of limestones in the area have been felled by bullets of the military.
“We are not afraid. By the way, this won’t be the first time. But most importantly, we are not violent.
“We are only demanding resettlement because the mining is too close to our residential areas.
“Come here during blasting or when work is going on in the factory, you can’t stand the dust that is generated.
“Look at our trees – all covered with dust-, check our water sources and you will realise what we are talking about, all the walls of our homes are cracked because of the impact and reverberation of the every day blast of limestone by explosives,” he said.
Joseph Orsugh, who was also at the protest told journalists that the company has turned the entire families within the area into set of stingy people as they “no longer eat outside, contrary to the long standing tradition of eating in the open so that strangers too may partake of it.”
Mary Mkerga,a 60-year old grandma, said it is better to die than continue to face the associated risks that come with mining in the area such as dust and its effect on human health, crop yield and contamination of water bodies.
She noted that the company has blatantly refused to listen to their concerns and the peaceful protest to push home their demands.
A senior staff of the company, who did not want to be named, told journalists the management of the company will be available for comments after the situation is brought under control.
