From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to illegal gold miners in Egbetua Autonomous Community in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Area of the state, to vacate the sites or face the wrath of the law.
Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Enaholo Ojiefoh, gave the ultimatum on behalf of Governor Godwin Obaseki when he led a team of security personnel to meet with chiefs and elders of the community on Saturday.
He said the state government is interested in the growth and development of the locality and has zero tolerance for crime and illegalities in the state
“I want to give serious warning to everybody here (residents of Egbetua) that if you are part of these criminals that have been working in our forest, mining our precious mineral, your days are numbered.
“If you have been working, cooperating with them as a community, youths, man or woman, or you are the one who helps them to buy fuel that they use in the forest, or you are the one giving them access to the forest, your days are numbered.
“I want you (elders of Egbetua community) to send this message to everybody, tell them that we are giving them (gold miners) seven days to vacate that forest (Odo bush).
“It is a matching order from the state government to flush them (illegal gold miners) out of this palace and that is why you are seeing different security agencies.
“They cannot be exploiting our solid mineral and still be kidnapping, raping, our wives, girls, chasing our men away and using that place (forest) as a trap where they keep kidnappers.”
The commissioner announced that the report of the visit will be forwarded to the minister of Solid Mineral Development and the governor, assuring the state government would be working with all legal mining companies in Edo and bring in investors for the development and growth of the area.
“Anybody that is mining here, that even has documents but did not collect consent from the community, their licenses will be revoked.
“We are going to review all the mining licenses before we open up gold mining here. We are going to review all the mining licenses and they are going to sign undertakings and agreements for peace to reign in our land,” Ojeifo said.
Meanwhile, Head Chief of Egbetua community, Peter Momoh, expressed appreciation for the intervention of the state government, saying it would help in no small measures to address the menace of illegal gold miners in the community.
He promised to commission the community town crier to take government’s warnings to residents until the expiration of the ultimatum
Egbetua community recently called on the Edo State government to help halt the activities of illegal gold miners, which it said has led to criminal activities in the area.
It was learnt the gold mining site located inside the Odo bush, about 15 kilometres from Ososo main town, has been in operation for over 25 years.