July 04, (THEWILL) – A representative of Custodial Energy Resource Limited and BHN, Mr. Joshua Temewemamufa Fiyebo, has alleged that the detainment of 15 trucks belonging to the company by the Benue State Government for 111 days would result in a loss of N400 million for the company.
While speaking in Makurdi on Thursday, Fiyebo explained that the tyres and shafts of the trucks under police custody at Adikop in Kwande Local Government Area in the past few weeks have been negatively affected by wear and tear as well as sun exposure.
According to him, when information about the seizure got to him, he took steps to sort it out with the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), after which it gave a clearance letter for the release of the trucks.
He expressed dismay that when a vulcanizer was brought to pump the tyres of the trucks, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Kwande ordered his arrest and his pumping machine impounded by the police.
Fiyebo disclosed that the ilmenite ore contained in the trucks was taken for testing and analysis to ascertain its status, pointing out that afterwards, the results were the same and yet the trucks were still under detention.
He dismissed insinuations that the trucks and driver were illegally operating in the state, as it has been lifting materials from Kwande Local Government Area since December 2023.
“Before the release of trucks to LONGRIVER Company, we investigated the mining company for their license and tax papers among others. I forwarded all documents, including license and joint tax board every company should have operating within the country,” he said.
He stated that there was no proper security around the trucks, expressing worry that the seizure was done by the government which was supposed to ensure the rule of law in the state.
Efforts to get the Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, were unsuccessful.
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