The Ebonyi State Government has expressed its determination to put an end to the issue of revenue leakages, poor treatment of host communities by mining companies and non-reclamation of mining sites in different parts of the state.
The State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Magnus Chinedu Nkah, stated this yesterday during a familiarisation tour of quarry and mining sites in Ishielu and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas of the state.
According to him, the message we have conveyed is that 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.
Nkah further announced plans to enforce stricter compliance with mining regulations, making it mandatory for mining and quarry companies operating in the state to reclaim abandoned mining pits, honour Community Development Agreements (CDAs), improve workers’ welfare and comply with environmental standards.
The inspection tour, undertaken alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barr. Samuel Nkwede, and other senior officials, was aimed at assessing the operations of mining companies, evaluating their compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and examining their relationships with host communities
Speaking during the tour, Nkah declared that the era of weak regulatory oversight in Ebonyi’s mining sector was over, even as he warned operators that the state government would no longer tolerate environmental degradation, poor community relations or revenue leakages.
The Commissioner stressed that every mining company would henceforth be required to reclaim mining pits before vacating any operational site, describing abandoned pits as environmental hazards responsible for unfortunate accidents and loss of life in the State.
“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.
He also expressed concern over what he described as poor welfare conditions for workers in some of the mining firms visited during the inspection.
“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 added.
Nkah criticised what he described as inadequate community development agreements executed by some mining firms, particularly with respect to scholarship provisions and delays in implementing agreed community development projects.
“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. Companies must faithfully implement every obligation contained in those agreements without unnecessary delays,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, the Ministry will soon issue compliance templates and deadlines to mining operators, while a special task force will be established to monitor operations, enforce regulatory compliance and eliminate revenue leakages within the sector.
“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 said.
Nkah further warned that the transportation of mineral resources at night remains illegal, stressing that the government would intensify enforcement against violators.
He urged operators to go beyond the minimum requirements of their community development agreements by initiating additional community-based projects capable of improving the living standards of residents in their host communities.
He also advised companies to strengthen the structural integrity of their operational facilities and enhance workplace safety measures to prevent avoidable accidents.
The companies visited during the inspection included Gemrock Quarry Investment Limited, Sheny Long Mining Company, Woda Quarry Site, Top-Trust Quarry Site, Ideke Engineering Limited, Master-Rock Quarry, among others.
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