NUMW chairman lauds Gov Soludo over review of mining activities, warms members against illegal mining in Anambra

By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka

The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) Anambra state chapter, Comrade Kelvin Onyah, has warned illegal miners disrupting the program of the state government to steer clear of all approved mining sites or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

The NUMW which is an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also commended the state governor, Prof. Charles Soludo for reviewing the suspension of every mining activity in the state.

He said the warning has become necessary to keep illegal miners away from any form of invasion into approved mining sites by the state government and for guaranteed safety of the environment.

Onyah gave the warning in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Awka the state capital.

“Comrade Onyah Kelvin Chimbuzor and all the entire executive of Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) Anambra state, hereby appreciate His Excellency Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo the governor of Anambra state, for reviewing the suspension of every mining activity in the state. We appreciate him for honoring our appeal within a short period, and we say thank you for your good governance,” the statement said.

He warned all the members of the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) not to engage in illegal mining, adding that before anyone can engage his or herself in the mining field, that person must get registered and secure a mining certificate.

The body further warned that anyone who fails to provide a mining certificate would be regarded as an illegal miner.

Recall that Soludo had, a few months ago, suspected all mining activities across the state following complaints of sharp practices by some of the operators.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, in a letter to the Chairman, Miners Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Branch; and a Public Notice jointly signed by Barrister Anthony Ifeanya, Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, Commissioner for Environment; Professor Charles Ofoegbu, Managing Director, Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited.
The state government noted that Mining activities were being carried out in total disregard of the extant Mining Act, 2007, and the Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law, 2024, the Environmental Protection Laws and Guidelines.

It observed that the mining activities have brought untold devastation, vandalization, and degradation of the lands of the host communities, and caused various health and environmental hazards to the indigenes of the host communities.
It warned that defaulters of this Public Notice would face severe sanctions which may include arrest and criminal prosecution.

Onyah explained that the state Governor had taken delivery of a letter to his office and had commenced issuance of operational licenses to duly recognized operators to ensure peace and orderliness at all the approved sites.

The NUMW state chairman promised to work in collaboration with the state government to make sure that illegal miners operate peacefully in the state.