Enugu State Government Cracks Down on Alleged Illegal Mining Activities
The Enugu State government has recently taken definitive action against illegal mining activities in the state, which has resulted in the arrest of six individuals and the impounding of seven trucks in Obollo-Afor. The actions were carried out in response to alleged violations of the mining ban imposed by the government.
The crackdown on the suspects was initiated following a visit to the mining site by Dr. Kingsley Nnaji, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy and Solid Minerals, and the Divisional Police Officer of Obollo-Afor, Ignatius Attah. This collaborative effort was conducted in response to reports indicating ongoing illegal activities at some of the sealed mining sites in the state, despite the ban on mining activities issued on September 15.
Dr. Nnaji, in demonstrating the government’s stance, expressed, “The state government is not against genuine investors, but illegal ones that have caused havoc by degrading and polluting streams from which our people fetch their drinking water. The people violated the court order against illegal mining in the state.”
The state government’s subsequent move to confiscate the suspects’ vehicles and other equipment found at the sites serves as a strategic measure to encourage compliance and deter illegal mining activities. It also allows the state authorities to initiate the necessary legal proceedings before the release of the impounded property.
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As the investigations reveal, these proactive measures taken by the Enugu State government underscore the gravity of the illegal mining issues in the state. It is essential to uphold the rule of law and environmental preservation, especially when livelihoods and public health are at stake.
The crackdown on illegal mining activities in Enugu State serves as a poignant reminder of the imperative to sustain the ecological integrity of our environments.
