It has been revealed to www.calitown.com that there are thirty six operating quarries in Akamkpa LGA, netting the state a considerable amount of money that is shoring up the state’s account balance. However of the thirty six quarries, ten are not working, leaving the state with twenty six functional quarries.
Specifically, Julius Berger, Expanded Minning, RCC, Zenit Construction, Arab Contractors, Sermatech and Xin-xin companies appear to be the biggest players in the industry. It is still difficult to say if what accrues to the state is conclusively remitted as sources within the minning industry in the state told www.calitown.com that the bulk of the money is pilfered or under-declared by individuals within the system. Chinese nationals are said to have a firm hold in the industry while construction giant, Julius Berger, is top of the pecking order in the volume of work that takes place.
Perhaps “what the state government has not done is to insist on a thorough environmental impact assessment concerning the nature of work this people are doing in Akamkpa”, one source said. This submission reflects serious concerns that most Cross Riverians continue to express as the minning companies do their work without “a proper EIA that should inform their work”, a source insisted. Again, the N13, 000 the state charges per truck leaving the quarries may be blighting the state to what the EIA may do for the state, www.calitown.com sources are insisting.
