On May 14, 2025, We the People met with women leaders, clan head, advisers, and youth leaders from the Mfamosing community in Cross River state, where French limestone quarrying company and cement giant LaFarge has been carrying out limestone mining with serious ecological and social impacts. The purpose of the engagement was to publicly introduce We the People’s women-led project, Strengthening Women in Mining (SWIM), which aims to increase women’s total community power in fighting injustice in their communities, especially those arising from mining activities.
Mr. Nsikak Udofot, the project lead, shared key insights about the project and its potential benefits for the community. The team expressed concern regarding the ecological negligence exhibited by the companies operating in the area, particularly in light of increasing demands from community stakeholders for restoration and compensation.
Reflecting on the prospect of the SWIM project, the community leadership assured We the People of their unwavering support to the cause, and the alignment of the project’s vision with theirs. According to the women leader of the community, “we are very excited about this project and how it would impact us as women. See, we are really suffering because of this La Farge people, they don’t care about us, we are facing many challenges and we are tired. We’re hoping that this project will be very helpful to us. Thank you for considering us”.
The SWIM project initiated by We the People began in April 2025 with FOI requests directed at government ministries overseeing environment, mining, and solid mineral development, along with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). These requests sought information regarding the purported sale of assets between the Holcim group and Huaxin Cement, a Chinese company poised to succeed La Farge, as well as the community’s involvement in the entire process.
The engagement enhanced the relationship between We the People and the Mfamosing community, fostering opportunities for greater collaboration and action.
