Ebonyi govt cracks down on quarries over environmental damage

Ebonyi State Government has declared an end to weak regulatory oversight in the solid minerals sector, announcing stricter enforcement of mining laws and making pit reclamation, Community Development Agreements (CDAs), and improved workers’ welfare compulsory for all operators.

The State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Magnus Chinedu Nkah, disclosed this during a familiarization tour of quarry and mining sites in Ishielu and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas.

The inspection, carried out alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barr. Samuel Nkwede, and other senior officials, was aimed at assessing compliance with mining laws, environmental standards and companies’ relationship with host communities.

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Addressing journalists after the tour, Nkah warned that mining companies must henceforth reclaim abandoned pits before vacating any site.

According to him, “it is no longer business as usual. Mining companies must operate responsibly, be accountable to their host communities and partner with the government to eliminate revenue leakages”.

“We are making it mandatory for all Community Development Agreements to incorporate pit reclamation. There have been cases where people and even vehicles unknowingly fell into abandoned mining pits. Human lives are too valuable for companies to pursue profit without taking responsibility for the environment they leave behind,” Nkah stated.

The commissioner described abandoned pits as environmental hazards responsible for avoidable accidents and loss of lives.

The commissioner also expressed concern over poor welfare conditions and inadequate safety standards observed in some of the firms visited.

“The welfare of workers is equally important because these workers are our people. Many companies have not paid sufficient attention to their welfare. We also observed that safety standards in some operational sites are grossly inadequate and must be significantly improved,” he said.

Nkah also criticised what he called “insignificant” scholarship provisions in some CDAs.

“You witnessed a situation where a major company made a very insignificant provision for scholarships. That is unacceptable. We cannot continue to accept Community Development Agreements that shortchange our people,” he said.

To enforce compliance, Nkah said the ministry would soon issue compliance templates and deadlines to operators, while a special task force would be set up to monitor activities and block revenue leakages.

“We are going to establish a task force to monitor the activities of mining companies and ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements. Environmental Impact Assessment reports, Community Development Agreements and every statutory obligation will be closely monitored,” he added.

He, however, warned that transportation of mineral resources at night remains illegal and pledged intensified enforcement against violators.

The Permanent Secretary, Barr. Samuel Nkwede, said the tour aligns with Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable exploitation of the state’s mineral resources.

“The purpose of this visit is to ascertain the extent to which these companies comply with Environmental Impact Assessment requirements, reclaim mined-out pits after operations, pay all statutory taxes and royalties due to government and fulfil their obligations under the Community Development Agreements,” Nkwede said, citing the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.

Meanwhile, at Gemrock sites, speaking on behalf of the host community, Mr. Stephen Onwe commended the inspection and pledged to address deficiencies and strengthen compliance.

Also, the consultant of Gemrock, Mr. Opara Osundu, acknowledged projects such as road rehabilitation and borehole construction by their firm, and appealed to government for intervention on market challenges.

Other company representatives, including Stephen Onwe of Gemrock Quarry, Jamie Zhao of Sheny Long Mining, and others, commended the inspection and pledged to address deficiencies and strengthen compliance.

Other companies visited were Woda Quarry, Top-Trust Quarry, Ideke Engineering Limited and Master-Rock Quarry.

Nkah assured that the ministry would continue to engage operators and communities to ensure mining contributes to the socio-economic development of Ebonyi “without compromising environmental sustainability, public safety or the welfare of citizens.“