Edo State Authorities has given seven days ultimatum to unlawful gold miners at Egbetual autonomous group in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Native Authorities Space to vacate the realm or face the total wrath of the legislation.
DAILY POST studies that the Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Power, Enaholo Ojiefoh gave the ultimatum when he met with chiefs and elders of the group on the weekend.
Ojiefoh, who mentioned the report of the go to can be forwarded to the Minister of Strong Mineral Growth and the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, famous that the state authorities has zero tolerance for crime and illegalities.
The commissioner, who famous that the state authorities was within the development and growth of the locality, added that the state authorities would assessment all of the mining licenses earlier than opening up gold mining actions within the locality.
In line with him, “I wish to give a severe warning to everyone right here (residents of Egbetua) that if you’re a part of these criminals which were working in our forest, mining our valuable mineral, your days are numbered.
“If you’re working, cooperating with them as a group, youth, man or lady, or you’re the one who helps them to purchase gasoline that they use within the forest, or you’re the one giving them entry to the forest, your days are numbered.
“I would like you (elders of Egbetua group) to ship this message to everyone, inform them that we’re giving them (gold miners) seven days to vacate that forest (Odo bush).
“It’s a matching order from the state authorities to flush them (unlawful gold miners) out of this place, and that’s the reason you might be seeing completely different safety companies.
“They’ll’t be exploiting our stable mineral and nonetheless be kidnapping, raping our wives, ladies, chasing our males away and utilizing that place (forest) as a lure or den to maintain their kidnap victims.
“We’re going to assessment all of the mining licenses earlier than we open up gold mining right here. We’re going to assessment all of the mining licenses and they’re giving to signal enterprise and settlement for peace to reign in our land,” he mentioned.
He, nonetheless, assured that the state authorities can be working with all authorized mining firms within the state by bringing in traders for the event and development of the realm.
He threatened that anyone mining within the state with out consent from the group, their licenses can be revoked.
Talking with newsmen, the Head-Chief of Egbetua Group, Chief Peter Momoh, counseled the state authorities for the intervention, noting that the intervention would in no small method assist to handle the menace and actions of unlawful gold mining within the space.
Momoh, nonetheless, promised to direct the group city crier to take the warnings of the Edo State authorities to the residents of the group earlier than the expiration of the seven days ultimatum.
DAILY POST remembers that the group had lately referred to as on the Edo State Authorities to assist halt the actions of unlawful gold miners, which it mentioned had led to legal actions within the space.
It was gathered that gold mining actions has been in operation in the neighborhood for over 25 years and is situated contained in the Odo bush, about 15 kilometres from the principle city of Ososo.
