Imo community in pain as mining activities threaten federal road, farmlands

These are not the best of times for residents of Umuelemai community in Isiala Mbano Local Council of Imo State as continued use of the Umuahia/Okigwe federal road now hangs in the balance.

This is on account of increased activity of miners, which is threatening the road and farmlands in the area. The community raised the alarm that if the next rainfall arrives with intensity, it might be cut off from the rest of the country. It, therefore, prayed the state government and well meaning Nigerians to prevail on ‘licensed’ miners to stop further excavation in the area.

It was gathered that since November 2, 2023, about 300 trips of sand had been moved away, daily, from the community, following renewal of mining activities around the old Hill Top Primary School in the community.

Although mining in the area started in 1983, the then local government chairman had stopped it, pointing out the danger it posed to the environment. However, two years ago, landowners in the area were reported to have sold the place to the current miners, who were said to have obtained a license to continue the activity.

President General of Umuelemai community, Kelechi Mbachu, lamented the destructive effect of the mining, saying the school premises has caved in and only federal road from Okigwe to Umuahia is now threatened.

He said: “In the last two years, the landowners sold the place to the current miners, who said they have a license to continue mining. We did not object, as we thought the area is a little far from the federal road. After just one month of activities, an old school building that is between the mining area and the federal highway caved in. This alarmed my people and me. I invited the miners to see the development. They refused to visit the site but simply waved the matter aside, saying it posed no danger.”

Mbachu said the community reported the matter to the Federal Ministry of Mines, adding that an official from the ministry was alarmed at what he discovered and asked the miners to stop further excavation.

“When he saw the magnitude, he was visibly afraid. He was alarmed that the Ideato gully disaster was about to repeat in Isiala Mbano if the mining did not stopped immediately. The officer, one Idris, an engineer, warned the operators to stop mining immediately. He declared clearly that the site is no longer minable. However, as soon as he left, they resumed work with vigour. Work at the site has continued, even till today, without regards to the expert’s warning,” Mbachu said.