The Enugu State Government took a significant move on Monday in limiting the activities of miners in the state by sealing unlawful mining sites and those lacking environmental impact certifications and mitigation plans.
Remember that the Governor Peter Mbah administration prohibited illegal mining in the state in June.
Last week, it also established the Enugu State Committee on Mining Activities to combat the threat.
The Committee, led by its Chairman and Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu, raided a mining site operated by Milhouse Energy Services Ltd in Awhum, Udi Local Government Area.
Addressing newsmen after a firsthand inspection of mining activities at the site, Ugwu said the government would not fold its tent after discovering various infringements ranging from environmental degradation to blasting without approval and due regulations, non-remittance of staff tax to the State government despite deducting same from the staff, and non-remittance of pension contributions to the pension scheme despite deducting same from the staff, among others.
“Our mission is essentially to seal mining activities that have no recourse to the State government on behalf of the State government.” We are also here to investigate what is going on, and you have all witnessed significant environmental destruction.
“We also want to verify the validity of the license they claim to have and learn how they have been remitting environmental fees to the Enugu State Government.”
“Most importantly, we want to know what mitigation plans they have in place.” We are very interested in what happens to these host communities and their surroundings many years after these miners have closed shop, because the people in the Niger Delta are still suffering greatly from environmental degradation caused by oil exploration activities that occurred many decades ago.
“At some point, this same coal powered the industries of Europe and beyond in Enugu.” Our environment is still enduring the wounds and consequences of past mining activities today. So we are not going to sit back and watch it happen again,” he declared.
He disputed the mine’s managers’ claim that mining operations began in 2022, noting that “from all indications, this site has been in operation for more than five years.”
He stated that the government was well aware of other mining operations in various regions of the state that were operating illegally, without a license, or in violation of environmental protection rules and regulations, and that “government is coming after all of them.”
The Committee also served African Pits and Quarries Ltd with a notice to cease operations immediately and report to Government House on Thursday.
“In response to the Governor of Enugu State’s directive prohibiting illegal mining activities in the state, you are hereby advised to cease and desist from all mining activities in this environment.”
“Your failure to strictly comply with the above instructions may result in your arrest and prosecution in the State Environmental Protection Court.”
“You are therefore required to provide this office with a comprehensive list of the following items as soon as possible: approval license from the Nigeria mining cadastral office, evidence of notification letter to Enugu State Ministry of Environment prior to commencement of operations, evidence of payment for ecological control permit from the Ministry, evidence of payment of environmental remedial fee, approval license from both the Federal of Mines and Federal Ministry of Environment.”
Meanwhile, Akintola Oluwafemi, the General Manager in charge of operations at the Awhum site, assured that the company would comply with government directives, but added that the firm had obtained all necessary licenses from the Federal Government and was also environmentally conscious in its operations.
Other members of the government team included Kingsley Nnaji, Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy and Mineral Resources; Frank Anioma, Special Adviser on Political Matters; and Uche Anichukwu, Senior Special Assistant on External Relations.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s directions are being carried out through visits to various locations.
