Mohammed Shosanya
Akwa Ibom State government has shut a Chinese-owned mining company, Ruitai Mining Company, in Esuk Ikim Akeme community, Ibeno L.ocal Government Area over illegal mining.
Besides,the government says it would no longer tolerate illegal mining activities and environmental degradation associated with it in the state.
Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Chief Uno Etim Uno made the disclosure when he hosted Correspondents in Uyo on Tuesday..
The Commissioner who said he visited the site in company of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Mrs Iquo Abia, Esq and Commissioner Ministry of Internal Security, Brigadier General Koko Essien (rtd),said the Chinese were extracting Titanium Ore, without any authorization or Environmental impact assessment.
He added:”We therefore ordered that Ruitai Mining Company should terminate its mining operations forthwith, until due clearance legitimizing its operations is completed with the state government.
“That the company should approach Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources(MEMR) on or before Friday, 1st September, 2023 with all the relevant papers authorizing its operations, with full coordinate of the area approved for its mining operations.
“That all security operatives be withdrawn from the mining site, while the DPO of Ibeno LGA, SP Victor Ezekwu, should enforce the directive in order to ensure strict compliance”.
He also told newsmen steps taken by the state government to respond to gully erosion threats in some parts of Uyo metropolis, including Udo Inwang and Etim Umana streets,assuring that intervention will commence in few weeks