Turkana residents give green light for gold mining in Nameyana
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
The forum sought to engage the community and ensure their active participation in the decision-making process regarding mining activities in the area.
The Turkana County government has officially conducted a community consent forum, marking a significant step towards gold exploration at Nameyana, located in Turkwel Ward, Loima sub-county.
The forum, aimed at securing the approval of residents for prospective investors, was attended by key stakeholders, including officials from the County Government, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), community representatives, and representatives from the prospective investor.
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The Department of Mineral Resources organised the forum, which sought to engage the community and ensure their active participation in the decision-making process regarding mining activities in the area.
During the event, the Turkana County government emphasised the potential benefits that gold exploration could bring to the region.
Officials reassured the community that safety standards and mineral exploration protocols would be followed throughout the process.
Triza Amoni, the Mining Chief Officer, highlighted the importance of community involvement in decisions that affect local resources.
"This meeting is about ensuring our community's voice is heard and that we have a stake in the developments that affect our land and resources," Amoni stated.
She expressed a strong desire for the mining venture to benefit the community, particularly the artisanal miners who have long worked under challenging conditions.
Amoni further outlined several benefits for the community, including the construction of two maternity wards at Nameyana Dispensary, the creation of job opportunities for 30 local youths, the building of a social hall, the provision of mining equipment, and the drilling of three boreholes to address water needs.
Michael Kamau, a representative of the prospective investor, assured the community that their focus was not just on resource extraction but on fostering a long-term partnership with the people of Turkana.
"We are not just here to extract resources; we are here to build a lasting partnership with the people of Turkana. Our goal is to create a win-win situation where the community prospers alongside the business," Kamau said.
Kamau's statement reflected the company's commitment to ethical mining practices and corporate social responsibility initiatives that would positively impact the Nameyana community.
John Ekeno, a representative of the artisanal miners, spoke on behalf of the local miners, voicing both hope and concern.
Ekeno raised important questions about employment opportunities for the youth and stressed the need for transparency regarding the distribution of benefits. While expressing cautious optimism about the mining project.
"We welcome the development, but it must be done in a way that respects our land and benefits everyone," he stated.
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