Why we banned illegal mining — Bayelsa govt

The Bayelsa State government has imposed a total ban on all unauthorised and illegal mining activities across communities in the state, warning that such operations pose serious environmental and health risks to residents.

The government also cautioned community leaders who have been entering into memoranda of understanding with illegal miners to desist immediately or face sanctions.

It declared all existing agreements of this nature null, void, and without effect.

Governor Douye Diri announced the measures during a town hall meeting with community leaders, senior government officials and stakeholders from Southern Ijaw, Brass, and Ekeremor Local Government Areas.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, condemned the illegal extraction of “black sand” or silicon in coastal communities such as Foropa, Agge, and Die-Ama by miners from outside the state, describing it as a grave threat to public safety.

Diri ordered the immediate halt of all illegal mining operations and placed an embargo on communities entering MoUs with companies for mineral exploration without government approval.

He said the trend mirrors the unchecked mining activities in northern Nigeria that contributed to widespread insecurity in the region.

He said: “People from outside the state are illegally mining silicon or black sand in our communities without government authorization, and that has to stop. It is dangerous to both the environment and the health of our people.

“We have also learned that some communities have gone ahead to sign MoUs with these illegal miners. Government is angry with those communities.”

The governor warned that while his administration welcomes investment and is working to create a favourable business environment, it will not tolerate activities that compromise public safety or violate established regulations.

Community and traditional leaders who ignore the directive, he added, risk arrest and prosecution.

Diri stressed that illegal mining not only violates environmental impact assessment laws but also undermines security and deprives the state of legitimate revenue.

Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ebi Ben-Ololo, reinforced the government’s position, reminding communities of an existing law passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly that outlines the proper procedures for mining activities and requires government authorization before any such operations can take place.