The Chief of the Biung Community, Biungdaan Waakpembil Bobigbazaar I, has issued a formal directive prohibiting the group known as TAMCI from conducting further demonstrations or road protests within his traditional jurisdiction.
The Chief’s intervention follows reports of a planned protest by the group against local mining operations. In a strongly worded statement, Bobigbazaar I characterized the group’s recurring actions as threats to public peace and social order.
Chief Bobigbazaar I noted that this marks the third attempt by TAMCI to use the Biung Traditional Area as a platform for agitation. He criticized the group’s motives, describing their previous activities as “devoid of purpose” and focused on “self-serving and divisive” demands, such as the dismissal of specific company staff, rather than the community’s broader welfare.
To clarify the current state of community-company relations, the Chief highlighted three key milestones that he believes demonstrate progress: Negotiations for the Social Responsibility Agreement (SRA), led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have reached the final sign-off stage. Community Employment Committees are already working with mining management to ensure fair recruitment of local labor. A youth training program has commenced, focusing on process plant maintenance and operations to build a skilled local workforce. “It is my firm belief that the mining company requires a stable and congenial environment to expand its operations,” the Chief stated. “Confrontational actions only serve to disrupt operations and undermine the efforts toward sustainable development.”
The Chief further cautioned TAMCI against attempting to bypass the authority of recognized traditional leadership and the District Assembly. He urged the youth of Biung to distance themselves from such disruptive activities, warning that participation could harm their future employment prospects with mining companies in the district.
While the prohibition on public demonstrations remains absolute, Biungdaan Waakpembil Bobigbazaar I emphasized that he is not closed to communication. He invited the group to present “genuine concerns” through peaceful, established stakeholder engagement processes rather than resorting to road blockades and social disorder.
“Let this serve as a clear warning,” the Chief concluded. “Any attempt to engage in social disorder within my jurisdiction will not be tolerated.”