October 07, (THEWILL) — The Ebonyi State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has stated its willingness to collaborate with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ebonyi State branch, to end child labour, exploitation of pregnant and nursing mothers, and address hazardous working conditions.
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Chidi Onyia, disclosed this when he received members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ebonyi State branch, who paid a familiarisation visit to his office in Abakaliki.
The Commissioner was also worried over the domination of Nigeria’s mining sector by foreign investors, even as he decried that indigenous miners were not given fair opportunities despite the country’s vast mineral endowments.
He said, “We are very much aware that, to a great extent, the mineral sector is being controlled by foreigners”, Onyia said. “Even in the ministry, Nigerian miners are not fairly treated or given due advantage compared to expatriates who exploit our minerals to develop their own countries, while our communities remain underdeveloped.”
The commissioner decried the long-standing neglect of host communities, noting that the welfare and rights of mining communities have often been ignored in favour of revenue generation for the government and profits for private operators.
“We inherited a system where the welfare of the people was not considered”, he lamented. “Past administrations focused on what the government could generate from mining, not on the well-being of the people who suffer environmental and social impacts.”
He revealed that many mining activities across Ebonyi are carried out by artisanal and unlicensed local miners, who lack the technical and safety standards required by law. According to him, this has resulted in widespread cases of child labour, exploitation of pregnant and nursing mothers, and hazardous working conditions.
“Most of the mining sites where you see child labour and women carrying babies while working are operated by our own people. They have been brainwashed and deprived of their rights by local stakeholders who connive with companies to exploit them.”
Dr Onyia also recounted visiting mining sites where residents, including elderly women, lived in dangerous proximity to open pits without safety measures or proper relocation, describing such conditions as “inhuman and unacceptable”.
He condemned the attitude of some community leaders who, instead of defending their people, colluded with mining firms to exchange public benefits for personal gains.
“We discovered cases where companies agreed to build health centres or offer scholarships, but community leaders collected money instead. This ministry will no longer tolerate such practices. Henceforth, every Community Development Agreement (CDA) must be transparent and made public”, the commissioner disclosed.
“From today, any mining site that allows underage children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers will face legal action,” Onyia vowed. “We are ready to work with FIDA and the judiciary to enforce compliance and protect the next generation.”
Onyia assured FIDA of the ministry’s commitment to the partnership, stressing that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s administration is determined to reform the mining sector in line with the People’s Charter of Needs, which prioritises the welfare and participation of citizens in state development.
Earlier, the Chairperson of FIDA Ebonyi State, Ik-Odeh Oluchukwu, commended the ministry for its efforts to sanitise the mining sector and called for greater protection of women and children engaged in mining activities.
“We see children during school hours working in mining sites”, she said. “Children should be in school, not in the pits. Women in mining must also be protected. We seek collaboration with your ministry to ensure child labour is reduced and safety is prioritised.”
Oluchukwu emphasised that miners in Ebonyi must use safety tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) before entering mining sites to prevent accidents and health risks.
“The future of our children must be secured. With strong partnerships, we can achieve a mining environment that upholds human rights and dignity.”
Also, in a vote of thanks, the Vice Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ogochukwu Okpogo Onwe, expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for giving them an elaborate explanation of what was happening in various Ebonyi mining sites. She expressed appreciation for the collaboration.
She said, “We are so grateful for the warmth, acceptance and reception. You have given us an elaborate explanation about what is happening in our mining sites, which we were not aware of before now. We want to thank you so much for the collaboration and the partnership you have thrown open”, she said.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
