*Launches Investigation Into Pollution Of Osun River By Artisanal Miners *Seals 39 Facilities Over Environmental Breach

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA ), has made it clear that the agency will prosecute the facilities carrying out illegal mining activities in the country.

The Federal Government through the Director-General of the agency, Professor Aliyu Jauro, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the activities of the agency in Abuja.

Jauro said the agency was on a mission to protect the environment, in line with its mandate, and reiterates its commitment to prosecute people who fail to comply with extant environmental laws.

He said recently, the Agency has been inundated with several complaints on the resurgence of the activities of artisanal miners in the area which has raised fears of degradation of the environment, destruction of farmlands and contamination of water sources especially the Osun River.

He however, noted that these mining activities are not new in the area because Osun State sits on a schist belt that is richly endowed with mineral resources like gold, tourmaline, tantalite, topaz and other gemstones and which attracts the artisanal miners.

Jauro, added that the agency also prohibited the processes and use of equipment or technology that undermined environmental quality.

He said Osun river is a key source of water for humans, plants and animals within the area and the river is of interest internationally because it passes through the Osun Osogbo Sacred Groove which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Indeed, the Osun River is reputed for its cultural, religious and economic significance.

“In 2012, NESREA carried out sensitization workshops for artisanal miners drawn from different parts of the state, which was held in Ilesha, Osun State. The miners were enlightened on the effects of their activities on human health and the environment, and were also encouraged to carry out their activities in more environmentally sound manner. After the workshop, a total of three hundred (300) full kits of personal protective equipment were distributed to the miners.

“Following the recent reports, the Agency had intensified its compliance monitoring of the affected areas which revealed a large presence of Chinese miners, who with the aid of excavators and related equipment, mine and wash the minerals along or close to river courses.

“There was also high activity of artisanal miners who scavenge surface minerals at abandoned mine pits and wash them in nearby rivers, most of which flow into the Osun river.

“The river has become more turbid with reddish colouration from the disturbance of mining and washing into the river. This is worrisome since the cultural practices at the Osun Grove require contact with the water in the form drinking, bathing and people also use the water daily in their homes.

“A full-fledged investigation has been launched and officers from the Headquarters and the South West Zonal Office have been in Osun State, collecting water and soil samples which have been taken for laboratory analysis to determine the level of pollution of these activities which will inform our enforcement decisions so as to protect the life of Nigerians affected by these activities.

“At the conclusion of the investigation, the provisions of the National Environmental (Mining and Processing of coal, ores and industrial minerals) Regulations, 2009 and other environmental instruments will be invoked against those involved in unsustainable mining practices in the state. This will definitely mean that perpetrators will have their facilities sealed and they would also be charged to court for environmental violation,” he said.

Jauro added that NESREA, in a bid to protect the environment, embarked on an enforcement drive which led to the sealing of 39 facilities across the country for failing to comply with extant environmental laws.

“The facilities had been given notices of compliance concerns in line with legal provisions but failed to abate their infractions against the environment.

“These facilities will be penalized for their offences and some will be prosecuted in courts of competent jurisdiction.

“The enforcement is an ongoing exercise and I assure Nigerians that no erring facility will be spared.

Mr Jauro said the agency was strengthening its enforcement infrastructure, by building the capacity of its workforce and reviewing the National Environmental Regulations.

He said the effort was to make the offenders serve as a deterrent to others and also incorporate emerging environmental issues.

He added that the agency would soon host its Annual Federal /States Regulatory Dialogue, adding that the dialogue would bring together environmental policy makers at both the state and federal levels.

According to him, the dialogue will also involve industries and the academia, to discuss the national environmental regulations and ensure that roles are well delineated for ease of operation.

The director-general said the objectives of the dialogue were to fill in identified gaps, in some select national environmental regulations, delineate roles and responsibilities among stakeholders.

He said the objective was to incorporate operationalisation of eco-guard, into the national environment through Permitting and Licensing System Regulations.

“The regulations slated for review includes, the National Environmental Electrical/ Electronic Sector, Regulations, 2011, the National Environmental Sanitation and Waste Control Regulations, 2009, among others.

“There are emerging environmental issues and interventions that have come up since some of these national environmental regulations were developed,” he said.

Mr Jauro said the review of the regulations would address the lapses that had been noted in the course of implementation.

He said two regulations developed by the agency were recently gazetted and set for operationalisation.

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