EBONYI ASSEMBLY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE TO MINING REGULATIONS

REPORTER: COSMAS EGBA

Ebonyi State Government is to re-visit issues relating to minning regulations to check speculated excess of some stone crushing firms in the area.

The Special Assistant to Governor on Minning, Prince John Nwangbo, stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Abakaliki.

The one of such minning organisations is the stone crushing firm in Ezilo by the Enugu/Abakaliki high way, which is relatively threatening safe passage on the road as the deep stone blastering pit is expanding closer to the high way.

According to investigation, beside the continuous expansion of the deep stone blastering pit, some buildings in the military barracks very close to the stone crushing firm, have suffered serious cracks as a result of the company’s activities.

Prince Nwangbo, who noted that safety of residents of affected minning communities remained the major priority of the state government, indicated that the ministry of Mineral Deposits and Natural Resources would soon commence assessment visit across all the minning outfits in the state to check any undue conduct that risk people’s safety.

Prince Nwangbo also said the state government was determined to transform the moribund Nigeria Cement Company, NIGERCEM, Nkalagu to functional status and create condusive avenue for establishment of more factories to create massive employment opportunities.

The Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr. Kingsley Ikoro, had recently raised alarm over destruction of buildings, air pollution and increasing health challenges as a result of disregard to minning regulations by many stone minning companies who engage in stone blastering in less than one kilometer away from from the residential areas.

Mr. Ikoro then moved a motion for immediate government intervention in the interest of the affected areas.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU