The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, has said that the federal government will not allow miners to shortchange rural communities hosting coal deposits in Benue State.
Ogah, who gave the assurance when he paid visits to some mining sites in Benue, said, “We will make sure that you get the attention of every investors so that at the end of the day, your life will be better”.
The minister took water samples for further testing at Owukpa, coal mining site in Ogbadibo LGA of the state following allegations of water pollution by the rural dwellers.
The residents of the community had before and during the visit raised alarm over pollution of their water sources due to coal mining activities in the area.
The minister explained that the result of the investigation will determine if the alleged pollution was caused by mining activities and if there were need to treat the water or provide alternative sources.
Earlier, an Environmental expert and indigene of Owukpa community, Dr. Sadiq Austine Okoh averred that coal mining in Owukpa had polluted both ground and surface water in the community.
