The Enugu State Government has banned all illegal mining activities in the state.
The ban was contained in a statement released on Thursday night by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia.
Warning against flouting the directive, the government said that there would be dire consequences for any illegal miner forthwith in the state.
The government observed that it was in the overriding interest of the public to protect the people from any hazard or pollution, and also maintain equal rights of benefits accruable from any mineral resources to the people of the state.
The statement partly read,
“Following the directive by His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, on the report of the discovery of mineral resources in some communities in Enugu State; and the illegal mining of such mineral resources in those communities without the authorization/consent of the State Government, I hereby direct that all illegal mining activities in Enugu State should stop with immediate effect.”