Siaya,
Wednesday June 5, 2024
KNA by Philip Onyango
Opinion leaders in Ramula sub location in Gem Yala sub county are calling on the government to act decisively on a section of the area residents who, they alleged, have been inciting the public against a gold mining company that wants to invest in the area.
According to the community representatives, selfish individuals have embarked on a smear campaign against the company, Shanta Gold and have been sponsoring demonstrations and violence against it and its employees.
Led by their chairman, Benson Okingo Milure, the opinion leaders said it was high time violence stopped, adding that they will not allow the perpetrators to continue breaking the law.
Speaking after a meeting convened to chart the way forward, the community leaders said there was need for a conducive environment to allow the investor, who they said had all the requisite approvals, to set up base in the area.
One of the leaders, Isaac Onjala, accused those opposed to the project of engaging in propaganda against the company in a bid to force it to yield to their demands.
“It is high time such greedy individuals are stopped. They cannot be allowed to continue misleading the public,” he said adding that it was regrettable that vehicles belonging to Shanta gold are now being ambushed and destroyed in a bid to scare them away.
Another community leader, Dorcas Okoth said the investor has already started programmes aimed at assisting the community, citing the putting up of houses for destitute families and payment of school fees for bright but needy children from vulnerable local families.
“We cannot lose such benefits because of the selfish interests of a few individuals,” she said while echoing calls for action against the alleged perpetrators of violence against the company.
Tension has been rising in Ramula sub-location in recent weeks over gold prospecting activities in the area.
The residents are divided over whether to allow the prospecting company move fully into the area, as some residents’ express fear that this will result into mass displacement and pollution of water sources.
Courtesy; KNA