[16/04/2013] An open letter to the mayor of Arlit by the united NGOs of Arlit, concerning profit shares from the mining business promised to the communities of the Arlit region.
Dear Mayor,
Following the mobilisation of the civil society organisations of Arlit and international non-government organisations, AREVA had consented to allow the communities of the Arlit region funds as a sort of profit share from the mining business. This profit share is by no means a donation but rather a right of these communities as imposed by the polluter-payer as well as exacter-payer relationship. We have been informed that the communities of the Agadez region have accumulated claims in the amount of over seven billion CFA francs from these said warranted profit shares.
We would now like to know what has happened to these billions, which were intended for the communities of the Agadez region?
Furthermore we would like to point out the recurring problem regarding drinking water and the difficult situation as far as electricity supplies for the houses in Arlit is concerned. We would also like to call your attention to the environmental, social and sanitary conditions owing to the exploitation of uranium in Arlit, which has repeatedly been pointed out by the Synergie des organisations de la Société Civile (SOSC) (see attached communicé). AREVA, true to its politics of exploitation and denial, refuses to grant us our legitimate profit share which we are entitled to.
For this reason the population of Arlit with the help of SOSC has resolved to protest against this practise of exploitation and rejection by way of a massive peace march followed by a lecture of the declaration before the authorities and representatives of AREVA.
By doing this the population of Arlit and SOSC, though open to dialogue, draw national and international attention to their situation and make AREVA solely responsible for all consequences which might ensue if the claims stated in our communicé should meet with no response.
On the same note, we demand open dialogue between the parties concerned to discuss the points determined by SOSC by Monday, 11th April, 2013, 6:00 pm. If this should not happen, a massive peace march will take place in Arlit and Akokan on Sunday, 16th April, 2013, organised by the population and the organisations of the SOSC of Arlit and Agadez.
We hope that our claims will meet with a positive response and would like to express our deep respect.
Yours faithfully,
For NGO CCCP-HASKE NGO SOS Development-HABAKA
M .Ouriliya Azaoua. M
Women’s Federation of Arlit (Matan Daga)
M. Chami
NGO IPED
Dan Balla M Islamist Association (ANASI)
Youstaze ALI A
For the New Market district of Arlit Organisation of departed miners Malam Younoussa M I (ODIV) Arlit
Elh Tanko
CONGAFENE Arlit
K.Delfine
NGO Toufat
Y.Arali
Federation of Craftsmen of Arlit
G. Tafa
Association of Handicapped of Arlit
M.Idrissa