The Kogi House of Assembly on Wednesday summoned three mining firms operating in the state to explain their financial contributions to the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) growth.

The firms, Eta Zuma Mining and Industries Ltd., Manga Energy Ltd. and Dangote Mining Company, appeared before a committee of the state legislature.

The House had two weeks ago, set up a committee to investigate why the state’s IGR was dismal, notwithstanding the big companies operating in Kogi.

The lawmakers had frowned at the activities of mineral producing companies in the state, and ordered that they “must be investigated to determine what is there for the state.”

At Wednesday’s public hearing, Eta Zuma Mining and Industries Ltd., which provides a range of services to clients in the mining, solid mineral, energy and steel sectors, apologised for its shortcomings.

Malaki Ugwani, legal officer, Eta Zuma, which mines granite in Ankpa Local Government Area, said it was not in the character of the company to undermine the lawmakers’ integrity.

“To respond to some of your questions as regards to tax, I can boldly tell you here that Zuma as a mining company is not owing the state.

“Our approved fees were in good faith and we have no issue with the community with which we have a 5-year Community Development Agreement (CDA) running from 2018 to 2023.

“It will interest you to know that since we began operating in Kogi, the licence we have is contiguous, yet in some places around Okobo, Ika and Ejambo, we are not allowed access due to activities of illegal miners.

“We are paying our revenues as at when due but there are issues as to the legality of dues for the the state and Federal Government,” he explained.

Also speaking, Dangote’s representative, Mr Haruna Adonoi, said he came to plead for more time to allow the company gather its documents and prepare properly before appearing before the committee.

Adonoi said, “We got a letter of oversight function from the committee, we then sent a response letter, which contains court cases between the state and our company.”

Manga Energy Ltd. also asked for more time to prepare properly before the committee at its next public hearing.

The Speaker of the House, Mr. Matthew Kolawale, therefore, directed that all the firms invited should come before the House on Sept. 26 with all necessary documents for discussion.