Five illegal Miners arrested , as Ebonyi Govt commences closure of illegal mining pits

Clement Nnachi (abakaliki)

Ebonyi State Government has arrested five illegal Miners for their alleged involvement in illicit mining activities in the State.

In a similar vein, the State Government has commenced the closure of all illegal mining pits to save the people from imminent disaster .

The State Commissioner for Environment, Grants and Donor Agencies Dr Richard Nnabu, made the disclosure at Ameka Ezza South Local Government Area od the State while monitoring the ongoing closure of illegal mining pits by the government.

He said that Enumeration of all illegal Mining Sites that will be closed down was still on-going across the State.

*The State government has decided to go round the State and identify illegal illegal mining sites and close them.

“You know what is going on here is Environmental degradation and it is within my jurisdiction to address every issue that concerns environment in the State.

“What you are seeing here is illegal Mining activity that is taking place in a Primary School , some persons in the village decided they will do illegal Mining ”

The Commissioner reiterated that the State Government was not against Mining activity but it must be Legal and be In conformity with the Law.

“There is Government procedure for doing things, when you approach the State Government Licence will be issued to you’

Dr Nnabu expressed regret that those illegal Miners do not utilize Protective Gadgets to safeguard their lives.

*If those pits are open, children are liable to fall inside them and die along side.

*Those offenders will answer to the government, there are laws that regulate mining ,