OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
A legal Practitioner in Ebonyi State, Barr. Steve Opoke and the Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities (FNMHC), Ebonyi Chapter have disagreed over the call by FNMHC to the State Government to Unseal the Iheotutu mining site less than two weeks after the collapse of the pit that claimed 2 lives and 5 others critically Injured.
Barr. Opoke who is the Legal Adviser of Ameka Mining Community described the recommendation of FNMHC as self serving and against the spirit and letters of the National Mining Host Communities.
“We note with regrate the incident that claimed 2 persons’ lives in Iheotutu in Ivo local government mining site, and observed the visit of a group known as Association of mining host communities.
“We consider the recommendation of the Association of mining host communities in asking the Ebonyi State government to unseal the site, less than few weeks after the mining site was sealed as self serving and against the spirit and letters the National Mining host communities was formed.
“For an association that was formed for the defence and protection of mining host communities to urge government to quickly unseal a mining site that claimed 2 lives and injured 5 other persons is contrary to the core reason of the formation of the body.
He maintained that It is the duty of any mining company to test the strength of the soil of their mining pits even after heavy down pour before advising menial labourers to go down into the pit to carry out any activity.
“Failure to observe that and give appropriate instructions is a dereliction on the company and a serious negligence.
“Again, it is not the skilful duties of an NGO such as the Mining Host communities to decide when an accident that claimed human lives is not caused by negligence. For them to have taken such position is suspicious.
“I call on Ebonyi state government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals to continue to seal the mining site at Iheotutu in Ivo Local government of Ebonyi State until full investigation of the cause of the incident is discovered and appropriate measures to forestall future occupance.
Barr Opoke opined that “where negligence is found on the part of the mining company, appropriate punishment should be given to the airing company to forestall future negligence.
“Human life cannot be bought with money and whatever we do today is the precedent for tomorrow.
It would be recalled that 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 collapse claimed two lives and injured others who were said to have strayed into the mining pit to pick leads without the company’s authorisation
The federation reiterated its zero tolerance for illegal and unlicensed mining, warning that such practices endanger lives, degrade the environment, and impoverish host communities.
Dr. Francis Orji who is the State Coordinator of FNMHC and a former Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development in the State
had appealed to the state government and relevant agencies to allow for 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.
“Once precautionary measures are assured, the site should be reopened. Delays could fuel restiveness in the community. Ends.
