The Bayelsa State Government has implemented a sweeping ban on all unauthorised and illegal mining of mineral resources across communities in its eight local government areas. The move comes as the state seeks to protect its environment, safeguard public health, and pre-empt the kind of violent insecurity linked to unchecked mining in other parts of Nigeria.
The declaration was made by Governor Douye Diri, represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, during a town hall meeting in Yenagoa with community leaders and stakeholders from Southern Ijaw, Brass, and Ekeremor local government areas.
Governor Diri described the mining of silicon, locally known as “black sand,” in coastal communities such as Foropa, Agge, and Die-ama by external miners as both illegal and a perilous threat to the safety of the environment and the health of the local population. He immediately directed the suspension of all such mining activities throughout the state.
Crucially, the government also issued a stringent warning to community leaders, directing them to immediately cease signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with companies to mine minerals without first consulting the relevant government institutions and agencies. The Governor emphatically declared that all such existing agreements signed without government authorisation are invalid and of no effect.
Governor Diri made it clear that while his administration is committed to creating an attractive environment for both foreign and local investors, it would never tolerate any business activity that undermines the security and safety of the people or their environment.
He stressed that the danger extends beyond environmental impact assessment violations; illegal mining poses a grave security threat and systematically robs the state of legitimate revenue. Drawing a stark parallel, the Governor warned, “Unchecked illegal mining activities in the North contributed to the banditry that has engulfed several states in the North. We won’t allow that here.”
The administration is prepared to enforce this order rigorously. Governor Diri warned that community leaders who violate the ban by signing new deals or continuing to collaborate with illegal miners will be swiftly arrested and prosecuted in line with state laws. He insisted that the government is “angry” with those communities that went ahead to sign agreements without proper consultation.
Following the Governor’s directive, the Commissioner for Environment, Ebi Ben-Ololo, stressed the need for communities to strictly adhere to an extant law passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. This law regulates and outlines the due procedure required for carrying out any mining activities with the necessary government authorisation.
In a show of support for the government’s decisive intervention, several community representatives commended the action. The Paramount Ruler of Foropa, His Royal Highness Olabai Olozulu, his Die-ama Community counterpart, His Royal Highness Baratuaipre Amaene, and the CDC Chairman of Odioma, Chief Forcebray Eketekpe, all pledged the full support of their respective communities for the new directive. The consensus across the region is that decisive regulatory action is needed to secure the state’s ecological and economic future.
