Residents of mining communities in Enugu State are expressing deep concerns regarding the ongoing violation of environmental safety and the disregard for their health by coal mining companies operating in their areas.

These communities are distressed by the contamination of their sources of drinking water and the detrimental impact on their livelihoods due to mining activities. They are urgently appealing to the Enugu State Government to intervene and ensure that the mining operations conducted by these companies adhere to global best practices, in order to prevent pollution and protect them from health hazards.

Representatives of the communities, including traditional rulers and presidents-general, voiced their grievances during a press conference held in Enugu. They emphasized that the decision to withdraw all consent given to mining companies stemmed from the companies’ failure to meet expectations and their destruction of vegetation and farmlands through environmental degradation.

The communities accused the mining companies of showing a “brazen disregard” for the safety of the environment and the people reliant on the polluted water sources and farmlands.

The traditional ruler of Nsude autonomous community in Udi local government, Igwe George Ejikeme Onoh, speaking on behalf of all mining communities in the state, called on individuals and organizations involved in mining to seek approval from the government through the Secretary of the State Government. This is necessary to ensure that they have obtained proper consent from communities and are complying with ethical, environmental, and professional measures to safeguard the well-being of the host communities.

The statement made by the communities concludes that the decision to withdraw consent is effective immediately.

Signatories to the statement include Igwe John E. Ugwu of Ezimo autonomous community, Mbah Cyril Eze, president-general of Ezimo town union in Udenu LGA, Engr. Chibuzor Ngene, president-general of Akwuke town union in Enugu South council area, Obiesie Walter Onyeka, president-general of Awha Imezi in Ezeagu council area, Eze Chinedu, Nsude president-general, Igwe Ozor Paulinus, traditional ruler of Awha Imezi autonomous community in Ezeagu local government area, among others.