Uzodimma Is Urged By Miners To Address Illicit Mining In Imo.
Prince Ugochukwu Onyenwenwa, the chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria’s Imo State branch, has raised concern about unlawful operations in the state’s mining sector, which, in his opinion, may result in an environmental catastrophe if not immediately addressed.
He also expressed concern over purported threats made against his life by those who, according to him, oppose his efforts to sanitize the business and reposition it for the advantage of the state.
This was said by Onyenwenwa in response to the leaders of the communities of Nekede, Egbeada, Ihiagwa, and Irete in Owerri West Council of the state who had expressed outrage over the situation, which they claimed had not only negatively impacted their socioeconomic lives but also claimed the lives of their people.
The CEO of the Imo MAN said that the illicit mining activities has also led to substantial environmental problems in the affected regions, including gully erosion and significant flooding during rainstorms.
Areas like Umukoto, in Nekede Free Zone, near the old mechanics village on Aba Road, Egbeada axis, behind Egbeada Popular Market, Umuezuriokam, and Mbuoke, in Ihiagwa, according to him, have been entirely destroyed by illicit mining operations.
He pleaded with the state’s governor, Hope Uzodimma, and the appropriate authorities to step in and stop the state’s impending environmental collapse and ongoing death toll.
Onyenwenwa encouraged security services to expedite their investigations into alleged threats against his life in response to his appeal on the subject that was already before them, and to apprehend those responsible.
The outrage from the impacted populations is inevitable, he continued, since if you see what the illegal miners are doing there, you’ll be obliged to weep for the situation.
“On our own, we are doing all we can to clean up the business, which is why some of the perpetrators of the heinous deed are out for my life. They will stop at nothing to kill me. However, God will never permit them.
“Unfortunately, as the community leaders said, those behind this claim to have the support of persons in high positions in the state administration. They operate under the guise of bringing in money for the government.
