In response to what they perceived to be “life threatening blasting of rocks” in the Guzape neighborhood of the Federal Capital Territory, or FCT, in Abuja, a few residents and property owners wrote a letter titled “Save our Soul” to Minister Nyesom Wike and other pertinent government institutions.
The locals expressed regret that Gilmor Construction Limited is carrying out the explosion in violation of established rules and regulations as well as an ongoing legal dispute.
A former deputy governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba, addressed journalists in Abuja on Thursday on behalf of the district’s residents. He acknowledged that “the purpose of the blasting is for the construction of road for the development of Guzape District,” but he also made the point that “it is only the living that can enjoy amenities.”
He continued by saying that the building company disregarded police advice to follow blasting regulations.
In addition, the residents stated that just as the court was about to grant a restraining order to prevent “further damage and innocuous blasting, we discovered various extraneous interest building up thereby introducing legal technicalities delaying the course of justice.”
Before a judge was assigned to the lawsuit during this time, there were three adjournments following several days of delay.
“April 16, 2024 has been set as the new date for the case.”
He continued by saying that the building company disregarded police advice to follow blasting regulations.
In addition, the residents stated that just as the court was about to grant a restraining order to prevent “further damage and innocuous blasting, we discovered various extraneous interest building up thereby introducing legal technicalities delaying the course of justice.”
Before a judge was assigned to the lawsuit during this time, there were three adjournments following several days of delay.
“April 16, 2024 has been set as the new date for the case.”
Although the locals expressed their hope for progress in the Guzape district, they insisted that it shouldn’t come at the expense of their lives.
The residents questioned: “Of what importance is road construction when the human beings that are supposed to stay therein are dead or living in fear of heart failure sequel to incessant earth tremor blasting?” They cited Section 17(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which provided for the dignity of the human person.
They argued that Gilmor Construction Ltd. is violating their basic human right to life under Section 33 of the Constitution by proceeding with the blasting.
It should be mentioned that, in terms of word interpretation under Section 43, what Gilmor is doing on the property qualifies as a “act of blasting.” It is regrettable that Gilmor, as required by these regulations, did not employ environmentally friendly technology during all of the blasting that the Guzape neighborhood had to watch, which would have caused the least amount of harm to the environment and human health.
As a result, Gilmor’s actions and negligence violate Section 12’s regulations governing acceptable noise levels. When someone emits excessive noise through their actions, it is illegal to do so under the National Environmental (Noise Standard and Control Regulations 2009).
Lastly, the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011, which outline rules to be followed in regard to the health, welfare, and safety of people and property during construction exercises, bind Gilmor as a construction business.
Gilmor has violated the regulations in paragraphs (1)(2)(3)(5) by failing to ensure that the proper blasting design and procedure is used. Section 16 of the Regulations states that “Any operator whose activities involve blasting shall do so in accordance with Schedule ix to these Regulations.”
“We are calling on NESREA, the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals Development, the Federal Ministry of Environment, and FCDA to immediately cease all of these violations and blatant disregard for the law and statutory regulations in light of all of these infractions.”
“It is only the living that can enjoy amenities. Nigeria is a member of International Treaty and Conventions on explosives and blasting technique, during the last World Conference on explosives and blasting in 2022 in Netherlands, emphasis was laid on international best practice, which Gilmor with her Foreign Nationals should be accustomed with,” the residents added.
However when newsmen visited Gilmor’s head office in Abuja for reaction to the issue, one of the top officials of the company, who bluntly refused to identify himself, simply said that they don’t talk to the media.
He threatened to invite the police to arrest the journalists if they persist in the mission.