By George George Idowu
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the federal government to ensure environmental responsibility and protection of local livelihoods as it pursues large-scale lithium mining.
This is coming after the government commissioned its largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State.
While CAPPA acknowledged lithium’s potential to drive economic growth and support green technologies, it expressed concerns about inadequate oversight, environmental harm, and displacement of local communities.
It cited issues such as water appropriation for mining, waste disposal, and violent community displacements driven by foreign interests.
CAPPA highlighted Nigeria’s history of poor environmental regulation and called for a balanced approach that includes local community input and robust environmental protections.
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It also raised concerns about the lack of transparency and fair compensation in mining agreements, emphasizing the need for corporate accountability.
Recall that President Tinubu praised the investment and encouraged the use of Nigeria’s large market and cheap labour during the commissioning.
Constructed by Avatar Energy Materials Company Limited, the Nasarawa plant can produce 4,000 metric tonnes daily.
Additionally, Canmax Technologies plans to invest over $200 million in another plant in the state.
The organization urged the government to restructure the mining sector’s governance to prioritize community well-being, enforce strict environmental regulations, and ensure fair economic benefits for locals.
CAPPA warned against replicating the negative impacts seen in other African countries with Chinese mining operations.
