The governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi friday directed that all zinc and lead mining sites across the state should be sealed off with immediate effect.
Umahi who expressed dismay over the high rate of illegal mining ongoing in the state, said that he would defend his action before Mr. President.
Mining sites that were exempted from the directive are royal salt and Ibeto Group of companies.
He made this known during a stakeholder meeting with traditional rulers, council chairmen, town unions’ leaders and miners in the state which was held at the International Conference Centre, Abakaliki.
His words: "from today all the mining sites where lead and zinc mining is ongoing is hereby sealed off by the governor, exemption of that belonging to Royal salt and Ibeto group of companies.
" And I am ready to stand before Mr. President to defend the right of the people of the state. God has given us the opportunity to preserve the future of the state, he added.
Umahi who gave condition of comeback to site to the miners, stressed that evidence of income tax payment, clearance notice, environmental permit and memorandum of understanding would be signed both by state and host communities.
He explained that the state required 15 percent proceeds and 5 for to local government. He added that one dry port would be re-activated in the capital city even as no payment per trunk would henceforth be acceptable.
He further berated the attitudes of traditional rulers, councilors, local government Chairmen and town unions’ leaders for aligning themselves with the miners to loot the treasure of the state.
"We are going to send a mining law to regulate the activities of miners to the state house of Assembly for approval and in that law the state shall define 5 years imprisonment without option of fine to any offender.
"And any miner who is interested to go back to sites should go to the office of the deputy governor for clearance.
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