BY OLAJIDE ADELANA Coal was first discovered in Nigeria in 1909 at Udi in Enugu, south-eastern Nigeria. The country’s first coal mine, the Ogbete mine, opened six years later. The
in Enugu, south-eastern Nigeria. The country’s first coal mine, the Ogbete mine, opened six years later. The Nigerian Coal Corporation was formed in 1950, taking on operations of Ogbete and other major coal mines across the country.century. However, significant changes in the Nigerian energy market increased the utilization of petroleum as a fuel source.
In Akwuke community, Enugu South LGA, Enugu state, close to Okpara Mine, there is a complete collapse of mining infrastructure years after mining activities had taken place. The mining site was abandoned by the operators without efforts to address impacts on the community, residents alleged. “We regularly contend with criminal elements who have mastered the art of coming into the community to inflict pain on residents and escape through the abandoned mine,” he says. “Recently, we arrested some people at night peddling hard drugs, including cocaine and heroin, in the community.
“A lot of people do not really know the extent of the damage mining did to Enugu,” says Chinedu Nwafor, executive director of Africa for Africa Initiative. He adds a warning about the state’s capital city of Enugu: The city is sitting on a ticking time bomb. If nothing is done, Enugu might collapse. “I don’t know why the government is yet to see this as an emergency.”
Enugu state’s environment and mineral resources commissioner, Chijioke Edeoga, denied knowledge of any challenges posed by abandoned mines in his state. He maintains that his office has never received an official complaint about the matter. Residents consider the government’s efforts to be merely cosmetic. A resident of Enugu- Ngwo, who identified himself as Chineduacknowledged the efforts but said more funding and commitment are needed given the number of affected sites.Nigeria also has many artisanal and small-scale mines that provide a livelihood for thousands of people, most of them mining gold, gemstones, and cassiterite .
“I cried and prayed when I saw him convulsing. I could not believe what I was seeing,” says Gloria. Sylvanus was later rushed to hospital, where he stayed for six days before he regained consciousness and began his journey to recovery. The family had to pay N50,000 for his treatment.
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