The Ebonyi State Government has declared an end to what it described as “business as usual” in the solid minerals sector, unveiling a tougher regulatory regime that will compel mining companies to reclaim abandoned pits, improve workers’ welfare and fully comply with Community Development Agreements (CDAs) or face sanctions.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Magnus Chinedu Nkah, announced the new enforcement measures during an inspection tour of quarry and mining sites in Ishielu and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas of the state.
The tour, conducted alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barr. Samuel Nkwede, and other senior officials, was aimed at assessing operators’ compliance with environmental regulations, mining laws and obligations to host communities.
Addressing journalists after the inspection, Nkah warned that the state would no longer tolerate environmental negligence, poor labour practices or revenue leakages in the mining industry.
“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,” he declared.
The commissioner said the government had made it compulsory for all Community Development Agreements to include provisions for the reclamation of mined-out pits, stressing that several abandoned excavation sites had become death traps across 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 described abandoned mining pits as serious environmental hazards that have led to avoidable accidents and loss of lives, insisting that operators must restore mining sites before exiting them.
Beyond environmental concerns, Nkah expressed dissatisfaction with the welfare conditions of workers in several of the companies visited, saying many operators had failed to provide adequate safety measures and decent working conditions.
“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.
The commissioner also criticised what he described as poor benefits being offered to host communities under existing Community Development Agreements, particularly scholarship schemes.
“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 added.
To ensure strict compliance, Nkah disclosed that the ministry would soon roll out compliance templates and timelines for mining firms, while a special task force would be established to monitor operations and eliminate revenue leakages in 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.
The commissioner further warned that the transportation of mineral resources at night remains illegal, pledging intensified enforcement against violators.
Speaking during the exercise, the Permanent Secretary, Barr. Samuel Nkwede, said the inspection was in line with Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s commitment to ensuring that the exploitation of Ebonyi’s abundant mineral resources is carried out responsibly and sustainably.
According to him, the state government is determined to ensure that mining companies comply with all legal and environmental obligations.
“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.
Representatives of the mining firms welcomed the government’s intervention and pledged to improve compliance.
Speaking on behalf of Gemrock Quarry, Mr. Stephen Onwe commended the inspection and assured the government that the company would address identified shortcomings.
Gemrock’s consultant, Mr. Opara Osundu, highlighted some of the firm’s interventions, including road rehabilitation and borehole projects in host communities, while appealing to the government to address challenges affecting the mining market.
Other company representatives, including Jamie Zhao of Sheny Long Mining and officials of other firms, also expressed support for the government’s regulatory drive and pledged to comply with all agreed requirements.
The inspection team visited Gemrock Quarry, Woda Quarry, Top-Trust Quarry, Ideke Engineering Limited, Master-Rock Quarry and Sheny Long Mining as part of the compliance exercise.
Nkah reiterated that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development would continue to engage operators and host communities to ensure that mining activities contribute meaningfully to Ebonyi’s socio-economic growth without compromising environmental sustainability, public safety or the welfare of citizens.
