The Ebonyi House of Assembly has summoned quarry companies operating at the Ezza-Inyimagu quarry pit in Izzi LGA over alleged illegal operations.

The parliament announced this in a statement on Tuesday.

The chairman of the Committee on Solid Mineral Development, Ifeanyi Nwakpu, called on the companies to appear before the committee on Thursday.

Mr Nwakpu, who is the member representing Ikwo-North Constituency, maintained that the companies should explain why they operate without signposts, names and registration.

He also said the companies should explain why they have to enlist school-age children in the neighbouring villages to work with them without safety guards.

The committee, therefore, ordered the immediate closure of the illegal companies until they comply with the state government’s mining and safety laws for quarries.

In another development, Mr Nwakpu also visited the China Geo Engineering Company in the area and commended the company’s management for providing safety equipment to their workers.

He urged all the quarry companies in the state to emulate CGC to improve the safety of their workers.

A member of the committee, Friday Ogbuewu, representing Ezza-South Constituency, stated that the visit was a statutory duty of the committee to protect the interests of the company, the host community, and the government.

The manager of CGC, Titus Dominic, appreciated the committee’s visit and informed them that the company had adhered to the mining laws.

(NAN)