Bashir Opaluwa Idris
The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the immediate suspension of all mining activities in Omala Local Government Area of the State pending the outcome of investigation and further legislative action.
The call is sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Omala State Constituency, Hon. Yahaya Umar calling on the State Government to stop the pollution of rivers and environment by coal mining activities in the Local Government.
The house also called on the State Government and relevant Federal regulatory agencies (Federal Ministry of Mines, Mining Cadastre) to urgently intervene by mandating a full-scale investigation into the activities of miners and assessing the environmental and health impacts of coal mining activities in Omala Local Government and across Kogi State.
Presenting the motion before the house, Hon. Umar appealed to the House to urgently address the growing environmental and public health crisis resulting from the activities of coal Mining companies in Omala Local Government Area and other parts of Kogi State.
According to him “I urge this Honourable House to note that the original idea behind licensing coal miners in Kogi State was largely part of the Nigerian Electricity Vision 30:30:30 and the Rural Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (RESIP) which were rolled out in 2015 and aimed at diversifying our power mix and increase renewable energy contributions to the national grid.
“Coal was expected to contribute 4°% of power generation by 2020, and 10% by 2030. But today, that dream has not only failed to materialize, it has turned into a nightmare for our communities.
“For over eight years coal mining firms were licensed to mine coal in Kogi State with the stated goal of power generation, including: Rockbottom Mines and Power, Mosra Enerji Ltd, and others.
“However, most of these firms have failed to deliver any measurable electricity contribution to the national grid. Rather than powering our homes, these coal mining activities — particularly in Oloku on the outskirts of Abejukolo, Omala LGA — have led to serious pollution of rivers, destruction of farmlands and contamination of the very water sources that thousands of our constituents rely upon for drinking, cooking, sanitation and irrigation.
“Alarmed that companies like Rockbottom Mines and Mosra Enerji Ltd are discharging acidic coal waste and heavy metals into the Alugbo River, which has now threatened the major water system that flows downstream through Edihi and links to the Omala River — the same river from which our Local Government derives its name. Communities such as Oloku, Otti, Icheke Ajedibo, Ikeffi, Oliya, Ibadan, Kaduna, Efiwo, Ajaja, Ogoh, Abejukolo and others are all affected. These facts are disturbing.
“When coal seams are exposed to air and water, they produce acid mine drainage, leaching toxic metals like arsenic, lead, and copper into surrounding water bodies. These poisons do not just pollute rivers, they accumulate in the food chain and pose serious health risks to both humans and livestock. The science is clear about this.
“Worried that this water contamination will not only put the health and livelihoods of thousands of citizens at risk but disrupt agricultural activities, causing land degradation, and endangering aquatic life and biodiversity in the area.
He noted that while the companies profit from their land and resources, many of the host communities have no access to electricity, no alternative water supply, and no meaningful community benefits.
The Lawmaker urged the House to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the activities of coal mining firms in the affected areas, particularly Rockbottom Mines and Mosra Enerji Ltd, and report its findings with actionable recommendations to this Honourable House.
Seconding the motion, member representing Mopamuro State Constituency, Hon. Jacob Olawumi said it was pathetic to see that Kogi State is suffering from the natural resources given to them by God, adding that all companies working against the agreement with the State must be sanctioned.
The Vice Chairman, House standing committee on solid mineral and member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, Hon. Jibrin Abuh described the motion as timely in view of the negative effect of the mining activities.
Throwing his weight on the motion, the lawmaker representing Kogi Koton Karfe State Constituency, Hon. Idris Aliyu Maikudi blamed some of the traditional rulers in various communities for engaging on illegal activities with some miners in the State.
On his part, member representing Okene Two Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Zakari said there is need to enact a law banning sales of land to companies with minimal deposits.
Ruling on the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba who presided over the sitting described it as disturbing noting that environment degradation is a collective responsibility for all to tackle in the State.
While urging the State Ministry of Solid Minerals to carry out an immediate compliance audit of all mining operations in the State and ensure strict adherence to national environmental and mining guidelines, the Deputy Speaker appealed to the State Government to provide emergency alternative sources of clean water to the affected communities.
Hon. Comfort however, set up a five man adhoc committee to look into the matters and report back to the assembly in two weeks.
