The Ebonyi State Government has unveiled a tougher regulatory framework for the solid minerals sector, warning quarry and mining companies operating in the state to comply strictly with environmental, safety, and community development obligations or face immediate sanctions.

The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chinedum Nkah, announced the new directives following a strategic meeting with quarry operators and stakeholders.

He disclosed that the state government will commence rigorous, unannounced inspections of all mining sites starting next week to enforce compliance.

According to Nkah, the administration is determined to reposition the sector by protecting host communities, safeguarding the environment, and blocking revenue leakages.

”If you go around, you see abandoned mining pits everywhere after minerals have been extracted,” Nkah lamented.

“There is no plan to recover the land. We all know the danger these uncovered pits pose to our people.”

“Every company must show us, in detail and in practical terms, its pit recovery plan.”

To ensure compliance, the government has set a strict timeline for action, giving operators a maximum of two months to begin reclaiming and covering abandoned pits.

Adding that any company failing to meet this deadline will have its operations sealed.

The commissioner emphasised that these abandoned pits have claimed lives, and the government will no longer tolerate the hazard.

The government also took a swipe at operators exploiting local populations, directing all mining firms to fully honour their Community Development Agreements (CDAs).

“Some companies take advantage of the ignorance of host communities by watering down community development agreements,” Nkah noted.

“This government takes those agreements seriously, and companies must see their implementation as a responsibility to humanity.”

To support this, the ministry ordered updated Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)because expanding blasting activities continue to encroach on residential areas; companies must present fresh, updated EIA reports.

The commissioner condemned the poor working conditions of quarry workers, specifically targeting the use of unsafe transport vehicles.

“Some companies transport workers in vehicles that are not fit for human beings.”

“That is unacceptable when these companies are making huge profits from our natural resources.”

In a bid to boost internally generated revenue (IGR), the state is targeting administrative irregularities and illegal logistics.

Operators have been ordered to immediately produce evidence of renewed operational permits. Furthermore, the government is placing a ban on the unauthorised transportation of minerals after dark.

“The law is against night movement because it is one of the easiest ways mineral products leave the state without proper monitoring. We are going to enforce the law strictly,” Nkah warned.

“A specialised task force will be established by the ministry to monitor operations and enforce these directives on the ground.”

Addressing a localised crisis, the commissioner revealed that the state has successfully brokered a resolution for residents of the Amokwe community, who have suffered structural damage to their properties due to nearby blasting.

A joint committee comprising representatives from the community, the mining company, the ministry, security agencies, local government, and the constituency office has been set up to assess the impact.

He noted that the affected company has formally accepted responsibility and has agreed to fully rebuild the damaged homes and employ a larger quota of indigenes from the host community.

Nkah reaffirmed that while Ebonyi State remains open for business, the exploitation of its abundant solid mineral resources must translate into sustainable regional development, environmental safety, and tangible welfare benefits for the people of Ebonyi. (Channels TV)

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