The Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities (FNMHC), Ebonyi Chapter, on Monday visited the Ajirija mining site, in Ihietutu community, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, operated by Greenfield Metals Ltd.
The visit followed the Aug. 15 mining pit incident at the site which claimed two lives and injured three other people who allegedly strayed into the mining pit to pick leads without the company’s authorisation.
The delegation was led by Dr Francis Orji, FNMHC State Coordinator and former Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development in Ebonyi.
He was joined by Dr Kelechi Okezie, Zonal Coordinator, South-East FNMHC, and Ms Sylvia Ogbuinya, State Chairperson of Women in Mining, Nigeria.
Orji said the visit was to carry out an on-the-spot assessment and to commiserate with the community and bereaved families.
“Our observation shows that the pit collapse was not due to professional negligence as earlier reported in some sections of the media.
“The cause of deaths is still being investigated, but we may not rule out natural factors such as heavy rainfall,” Orji said.
He noted that the federation aligned itself with the position of Mr Chidi Onyia, the State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development.
Onyia, after visiting the site with Federal Mines Officials, had said the tragedy was not due to negligence but likely a natural occurrence.
He had also confirmed that the miners were licensed and operating legally in line with safety standards.
The federation therefore reiterated its zero tolerance for illegal and unlicensed mining, stressing that such practices endangered lives, degraded the environment and impoverished host communities.
According to Orji, the federation will strengthen collaboration with regulators to ensure miners comply with guidelines and are professionally supervised.
He appealed to the state government and relevant agencies to expedite their investigation to allow the timely reopening of the sealed site.
“Sealing the site for a prolonged period will jeopardise the operators and the livelihoods of employees who depend on the company for survival.
“Even for a civil servant, prolonged months without salary is unthinkable.
“We plead that once precautionary measures are assured, the site should be unsealed,” Orji said.
He added that prolonged sealing could fuel restiveness in the community, while offering condolences to the bereaved families.
During the visit, the delegation met with the leaders of Ihietutu Development Union (IDU) led by its Chairman, Chief Emeka Ogbonna.
Ogbonna commended the team for the solidarity visit, noting that mining companies had contributed to local infrastructure and social development.
“Most of the roads in our community were undertaken through our partnership with the mining companies.
“The first asphalted road from Ihietutu junction to Ugwu Idu, was sponsored by Greenfield Metals Ltd.
“We also have concrete pavements, a health centre, electricity from the national grid, and over 30 university scholarships funded by the firm,” Ogbonna said.
He stressed that the community maintained a cordial relationship with the operators, describing the accident as an unfortunate occupational hazard.
Other community leaders including Mr Fabian Chukwu and Mr Remigius Okoro, commended the federation for its concern, and assured that Ihietutu remained peaceful in spite of the accident.
Dr Okezie, the Zonal Coordinator of the mining federation, emphasised the need for host communities to always benefit from the resources in their domain.
“In many cases, instead of enjoying the resources, host communities are left poorer.
“Our advocacy is that mining must translate into sustainable development and environmental protection,” he said.
The federation assured the community of continued partnership to safeguard the rights and welfare of host communities across the country.
