Coalition of NGOs Welcomes Lithium Mine Closure, Demands Immediate Action on Reckless Rock Blasting, Quarrying in Abuja

Paschal Emeka, Abuja | Posted June 28, 2024

The Urban-Rural Environmental Advocacy (U-REA), publicly known as Urban-Rural Environmental Defenders (U-RED), and Eco-Defenders Network (ECODEN), has welcomed the recent government’s decision to close the illegal lithium mining site at Guabe, in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, by operatives
of Mining Marshal Corps, commissioned on March 21 by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake as part of efforts to combat illegal mining and sanitize the sector.

They observed that the Lithium mining site before the Federal Government’s intervention posed serious environmental, health and socio-economic hazards to the host community and nearby communities, in Kuje and environs and urged continued action to ensure that mining activities in the FCT as well as the country at large are safe and responsible.

U-REA and ECODEN in a joint statement, endorsed by Executive Director UREA, God’spower Martins, in Abuja, again expressed deep concern over the indiscriminate rock blasting by quarry companies in the nation’s capital, which according to them posed significant threats to the environment, public health, and residential communities, and described it as highly condemnable.

“Seeing the havoc done to the environment by stone quarry companies and the effects on host communities, tears will definitely flow down your chin.

“For instance, at Pyakasa community, a dusty slum packed with humanity with nothing to show for the presence of a corporate mining company is Tigong quarry site, just a few meters away from the Abuja airport road expressway.

“The highly disturbing extractive activities of the quarry company that blasts rock with impunity for construction materials in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has become a very worrisome environmental hazard especially to Pyakasa, the host community.

“With little or nothing left, once a high rock in the community has turned into about a hundred 100 feet deep mine pit with indescribable width.

“It is a verifiable fact. The quarry company has for long abandon the unprotected dangerous mine pit for another nearby rock,” says one of the employees who craved anonymity confided in us.

“We are terribly troubled that if these very worrisome unsafe rock blasting and destructive mining approaches are allowed to continue in the FCT, we may all one day go down the bottom of the earth for earthquake or landslide from seismic wave/vibration during rock blast.

“Currently, a gold mine landslide occurred at Galadimakogo community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state which has resulted in the loss of over fifty precious lives, causing further devastation of the environment and communal mourning.

“The general trauma and plight of the big and small in the host community are better imagined.

“While the lithium mine closure demonstrates a commitment to combat illegal mining for more revenue generation, it is worrisome that consideration for host communities’ concerns and environmental protection are not captured which undermine this progress.

“Host communities in Abuja have been plagued with the devastating effects of indiscriminate rock blasting and unsafe quarrying activities.

“Quarry companies have recklessly exploited natural resources, disregarding the welfare of host communities and the environment.

“The consequences of the activities are clearly evident. Homes and buildings have been damaged from rock blasting, leaving residents in fear of collapse.

“Air and noise pollution have become a constant threat, aggravating respiratory issues and disrupting daily life.

“Environmental degradation has occurred by deforestation and habitat destruction harming local ecosystems.

“Communities have been displaced, forced to flee their homes due to the unsafe conditions and threat to life caused by flying rocks.

“Livelihoods have been lost, as farms and businesses are destroyed or rendered inaccessible. Public infrastructures including roads and installations are being damaged.

“Abuja, the seat of power deserves better environment. It is our collective responsibility to demand sustainable and responsible mining practices that prioritize environmental protection, community welfare, and social justice.

“We therefore, urge the government to take immediate action to address these issues, including:
Implementing strictly the laws and regulations on mining and quarrying operations.

“Conducting thorough environmental impact assessments and risk assessments before starting any quarry operations.

“Engaging with host communities for Free, Prior Informed Consent to ensure their concerns are addressed before quarry operation commences.

“Ensure that quarry companies adopt safe and sustainable practices; unsafe rock blasting should be prohibited in the FCT

“Ensuring that quarries are approved not less than fifty kilometers away from residents, and
quarry companies should be compared to submit yearly CSR report for audit, by relevant authorities.

“Engaging with affected communities to address concerns and provide compensation for damages; ensuring revenue generation does not compromise environmental and social safeguards.

“We call on the government to prioritize environmental protection, community welfare, and responsible mining practices in its efforts to sanitize the mining sector to generate revenue in Nigeria.

“Reckless rock blasting and irresponsible quarry activities near residential communities are unacceptable and must be addressed with utmost urgency.