Chinese-owned mining company exposes residents to hearing loss, respiratory illnesses

 

 

 

 

 

…We live in fear of being crushed – Resident

Rock blasting activities carried out by a Chinese-owned quarry company have dealt heavy blows on residents of 13 communities in a town in Kwara State.

SODIQ OJUROUNGBE writes on the painful experiences of residents, who have lost homes and businesses to constant deafening blasts and are presently plagued by hearing losses

 

In her one-room apartment in Ifesowapo, a community in Orogbangba Town, in the Asa Local Government area of Kwara State, Abidemi Adegboyega jumped at the sound of a loud blast.

The accompanying vibration, which could be likened to that of an earthquake, sent jitters down the spine of the mother of two.

Panic-stricken and apprehensive, Abidemi dashed across the room to pick up her yelling

two-week-old baby, who all the while had been sleeping peacefully.

Still in shock, she tried to pacify the wailing infant and ran outside as the house continued to vibrate from the impact of the deafening sound.

Outside, the nursing mother was greeted by choking white dust that had taken over the skyline, burying the rays of a once blazing sun.

Speaking later with Reportr Door Healthwise about her experience, the mother of two said she was yet to recover from the heavy blast, which she claimed left cracks on the walls of several houses within the community.

She revealed that subsequently, several other blasts rocked the area, noting that she and other occupants always nursed fears of an imminent collapse of the building where they live.

She recounted, “I pray that there won’t be a catastrophe in this community one day. The rock blasting is really so loud, powerful and harmful to us. That very day, it was as if the house wanted to collapse. I ran outside and ran back inside in shock. I was confused. I thought it was an earthquake.

“I thought the world was coming to an end because the shock was too much. I held my baby tightly to my chest and was shaking.

“White dust covered the whole sky. Initially, I thought there was an accident, but not until I came outside and realised it was from the Chinese quarry site. I was the only one at home with my baby. The company usually blast rocks when people would have gone to work.”

13 communities haunted by deafening quarry blasts

Ifesowapo is among the 13 communities in Orogbangba, a town that has been profoundly affected by the disruptive activities of a Chinese-owned quarry company, China Kaidi.

Other communities daily troubled by the blasts are – Ire Akari Jaleoyemi, Alubarika, Aiyetoro, Irewolede, Iwotedo, Oke Alayo, Ayegbami, Toluwalase, Waterside, Orire, Surulere, and Itesiwaju

Located along the Ilorin-Ogbomoso Expressway in Kwara State, Orogbangba, which is approximately two kilometres from the popular Lagos-Ogbomosho Expressway, it was learnt, has over five thousand residents.

The custodian of Orogbangba, who is referred to as Mogaji Elulu, is Alhaji Nuhu Abdulkarim.

He told our correspondent that the town has about six hundred residential houses built across the 13 communities.

Reportr Door Healthwise learnt that since the company was established, frequent blasting of rocks with explosives usually forces residents out of their homes and had caused unquantifiable structural damages to several houses.

it was gathered that some houses have collapsed in the past.

Residents said they live with the perennial fear that they might have been exposed to several health risks.

“There is no house without cracks. The blast and vibrations have sent many to their untimely graves,” he lamented solemnly.

 Environmental law disregarded

Although the National Environmental Regulations (2013) specified that a Quarry site should not be sited in residential, commercial, or industrial areas within a three-kilometre radius. Reportr Door Healthwise, however, discovered that the operation of the China Kaidi quarry company is just less than 60 meters from the 13 communities in Orogbangba.

Using Google Earth to measure the distance from the quarry site to the last building in Orogbangba, it was discovered that the distance is less than three kilometres, which is against the recommended environmental regulation.

Orogbangba cracked communities 

Reportr Door Healthwise investigations showed that the continuous blasting of rocks by China Kaidi Company had caused significant damage to many homes across Orogbangba town and made some unsafe to live in.

It was learnt that for some time now, no new building has been constructed due to fears of imminent collapse.

While touring the 13 communities in Orogbangba, our correspondent observed that several structures, fences and roofs of several houses appeared as if they would collapse at any moment.

Gaping cracks were like a unifying architectural signature on practically all the houses.

It was learnt that remedial efforts made to repair damages done to the buildings are usually destroyed as soon as they are carried out.

The residents complained that the rock blasting and stone crushing process carried out by the company is not time-specific, as it can happen anytime.

Although the residents claimed the quarry company is located on the outskirt of a neighbouring town, Eiyenkorin, they claimed to be the ones suffering from the negative impacts of its activities.

 

Investigating impacts of blasts, vibrations on structures

To ascertain how a blast and vibration from a quarry site can cause cracks in walls, some researchers from Norwegian Geotechnical Institute embarked on an investigation.

They discovered that construction activities such as blasting can produce vibrations of sufficient strength to cause damage to neighbouring buildings and structures.

The study, which was led by K.M. Norén-Cosgriff, discovered that the onset of blast-induced cracking was observed in two instrumented test structures located in a rock quarry.

Two buildings were constructed, one in cast-in-place concrete without reinforcement, and one made of lightweight construction blocks in expanded clay aggregate.

The buildings were instrumented with geophones and Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors (strain sensors).

In addition, vibrations on the ground surface and air blast overpressure were measured.

Test blasts were designed to produce increasing vibration values, starting with peak particle velocities (PPVs) of around 20 mm/s and ending with PPVs above 250 mm/s.

At the end of the study, it was discovered that the buildings responded differently to ground vibration and vibration damage mechanisms for concrete and lightweight aggregates masonry buildings.

The researchers also found out that residential buildings closer to a quarry site will suffer cracks due to heavy vibration.

Similarly, a professor at the Department of Construction Engineering at the American University in Cairo, Ezzeldin Yazeed, stated in a report that subsurface construction blasting causes ground vibration that may harm residential buildings.

According to him, a family of waves is produced when a charge detonates in a solid medium (like a rock), adding that the waves have various wave velocities and produced various particle motions.

The professor said, “Residential buildings may be affected by the resulting ground-borne vibrations in a variety of ways, from bothering the occupants to severely causing “cosmetic” or structural damage.

“Problems may occur as a result of large amplitude (low frequency) vibrations, repeated smaller amplitude vibrations, or from differential settlement induced by soil particle rearrangement.”

Residents count losses

Nusirat AbdulRasaq, a town planner, told our correspondent that she rebuilt her house four times due to the impacts of the blast on the structure.

The woman, however, said within a year of moving in, she lost count of how many times renovations and repair works were carried out on her roof and walls constantly damaged by blasts.

The homeowner, who is in her 50s, blamed the quarry company for making her incur financial losses.

With frustration etched on her face, she lamented, “There is no how you will not feel the impact of the blast when they start operation at the site. The whole house will be vibrating terribly. You will think that the world wants to end.

“I have done several renovations. While constructing my house, it collapsed about four times. At a point, I had to pull it down to start all over again.

“The activities of the Chinese company are really affecting us. We want the government to intervene and stop them from blasting rocks.”

Nusirat is not the only one that had to carry out a series of renovations. Other residents that spoke with Reportr Door Healthwise were also facing the same dilemma.

When a part of her house collapsed, Haleemat Qazeem was forced to put up with a friend due to safety concerns.

She bemoaned the fact that despite numerous renovations carried out after, cracks continued to appear on the structure.

While showing our correspondent recent cracks that just surfaced, she said, “I had to run away from the house when a part collapsed. I just came back recently after doing some little renovation.

“Renovating the same cracks every time is time-consuming. I am tired. They should help us to beg the Chinese company to let us have peace in our community. They have destroyed several properties.

Counting her losses, Adegboyega recounted how her husband has been spending money endlessly to carry out repairs on the house so that it would not collapse unexpectedly.

“Once a crack is fixed, another one would appear. We keep spending money on unnecessary things. The company is richer than us but keeps making life unbearable for us. The little money we have, they want us to spend it all on renovation,” she added.

The Community Development Association chairman of all thirteen communities, Ahmed Ishaq, disclosed that most landlords have sold their houses and relocated outside Orogbangba.

He lamented that the town is not developing anymore because people are no longer buying land to build.

The CDA chairman, who also claimed to be a real estate agent, expressed worries that it is nearly impossible to persuade people to purchase land within the 13 communities due to frequent explosions that occur when they come for any land inspection.

Recalling one of his bad experiences, he said, “There was a time I wanted to sell land to a prospective buyer. We agreed on a price and he asked me to send my account details so that he can pay. While we were still discussing, there was a blast.

“The man had to run for his life. I was not really surprised by the blast because it has become a normal way of life for us here but the man was scared. All efforts to convince the buyer that the place was safe, failed. That single incident discouraged him from buying any land here.”

The CDA chairman also lamented that businesses are wounding up in the community, adding, “Many people are leaving the town because they can’t cope. Businesses are collapsing and this will affect development.”

Dangerous mining operations

An investigation by Reportr Door Healthwise showed that the mining company uses explosives to blast rocks before crushing them into various sizes for sale.

Our correspondent learnt that after blasting the rocks, the Chinese-owned firm extracts minerals like limestone, basalt, granite, gravel, and crushed rocks, which are then sold.

It was gathered that the company carries out blasting operations at least twice a week and does not have any form of alert system to warn residents about an impending explosion.

According to a quarry worker that spoke with Reportr Door Healthwise on condition of anonymity, the company can spend between three to four days drilling deep into the earth before blasting.

The source revealed that ammonium nitrate, titanium and aluminium were combined to create the explosives used.

The insider revealed that the company engages in frequent rock blasting despite knowing that it is against the law.

This is so they can have more than enough products to sell to construction sites around the Ilorin metropolis.

“The company knows that there is risk in what they are doing. The explosives they use to blast rocks are very strong and we (workers) know that.

“The company is not doing surface blasting like some people do. They dig deep and this is why we always have that strong vibration. In fact, when we are about to throw the explosives inside the drilled rock, we always ask vehicles coming from the northern part of the country and those from Lagos to stop miles away. This is because the explosion shakes the whole environment,” the source revealed.

Also corroborating his claim, the CDA chairman said, Ishaq said, “They know the time the explosion will happen and during the period, they will ask vehicles to wait. When the rock explodes, it can cause heavy vibrations and many things dangerous objects would be flying around.

“We that live close to them suffer the most. The force of the blast can throw someone away. We have instances where flying rocks from the blasting site entered houses in the town. It is God that has been saving us here.”

 

 

 

Exposure to respiratory illnesses

Although humans are designed to breathe in clean air (oxygen), however, findings by Reportr Door Healthwise showed that residents of Orogbangba have for three years, inhaled extremely high concentrations of dust, which is detrimental to their respiratory systems.

The most significant danger posed by dust inhalation, according to experts, is exposure to airborne particles that can trigger respiratory distress and nasal airway obstruction.

It was learnt that anytime the Chinese-owned company carries out its blasting activities, a high concentration of dust particles takes over the atmosphere and permeates tightly shut windows and doors in homes.

Akorede Ogunshina told our correspondent that he started having breathing challenges not long after the Chinese company moved into the area and started operations in 2021.

The young man said he began to experience an uncomfortable sensation while breathing.

He revealed that there are times he would feel his chest constricting, adding that he has spent so much on treatment.

Ogunshina, who is the General Secretary of all the CDAs in Orogbangba, linked his health condition to dust introduced into the air by the Chinese-owned company activities.

He bemoaned the fact that they are being “strangled by heavy carbon dust”, and claimed that several residents now cough incessantly.

“Some suffer from severe and persistent headache and catarrh, among other respiratory illness symptoms. There is always dust in the atmosphere and the sky is always cloudy.

“What we are inhaling cannot be measured and they are dangerous. Several times when this blasting takes place, all the communities would be enveloped with white dust. We are dying gradually,” Ogunshina lamented.

The Baale of Orogbangba, Saheed Salman, also claimed that exposure to the mining dust has caused irreversible damage to some residents’ lungs.

He said, “The dust is always everywhere and stays for hours. There is nobody in this community that does not cough. We experience persistent headaches and other symptoms that may indicate that one could be suffering from other medical conditions.

“Many of us here are of lower class. We don’t have money to fight them and several efforts to get across to them have not yielded any positive response. We want the government to come to our aid. We can’t breathe well and it is difficult for us to survive here.”

Speaking on the health implication of inhaling dust particles over an extended period, a Geoscientist and Data Analyst, Oghenero Siloko, told Reportr Door Healthwise that inhaling dust particles can aggravate allergies and contribute to respiratory diseases.

He said, “The white dust reported by the residents is likely a result of the quarrying operations. The dust can contain fine particles of rock, minerals and other materials, which if inhaled, can pose health risks. Breathing in such dust can irritate the respiratory system, aggravate allergies, and contribute to respiratory diseases.”

 Quarry mining poses danger – Study

Meanwhile, in a study carried out by researchers at the Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine, it was discovered that environmental exposure to dust from quarrying activities could pose health dangers to the population living nearby.

The study was conducted on 79 exposed participants, who lived less than 500 meters away from quarry sites, and 79 control participants who lived more than 500 meters away.

Published in the National Library of Science, the study found that 70 per cent of the population living in areas close to the quarry sites were suffering from the dusty environment, with dust increasing during the summer season.

The study also discovered that those who live close to quarry sites reported significantly higher respiratory, eye, and nasal symptoms compared to those who live far from the quarry sites.

The researchers found that dust, which is one of the most invasive and potentially irritating sources for the eyes and respiratory system had caused significant damage to the health of those living close to the quarry sites.

During the study, it was also discovered that lung function parameters were significantly lower for the people closer to quarry sites.

“The obstructive pattern indicates a disease caused by the airway to be narrowed or blocked, making it difficult to exhale the air completely, as in asthma and COPD, while restrictive pattern indicates a disorder that makes it difficult to fill the lung completely with air because of interstitial lung problem such as lung fibrosis.

“Chronic exposure to dust has been shown to cause deterioration in lung function among several groups of working populations. Several studies worldwide, including in Palestine, have shown that quarry workers had lower lung function than unexposed control groups, and it was lower among the workers with a longer duration of work in quarries.

“Lower lung function parameters than the expected values generally indicate the possibility of chronic respiratory and lung disease [32]. As the exposed group showed lower lung function parameters than the control group, indicating that people living close to the quarry sites have a stronger possibility of developing lung disease.”

In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Engineering and Technology, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, the environmental impacts of quarry operations and their likely implications were highlighted.

The study discovered that the blasting operation which produces air blasts and vibrations affects those within the surrounding environment.

According to the World Health Organisation, nine out of 10 people globally breathe air that exceeds the recommended guideline limits containing high levels of pollutants, resulting in an estimated seven million deaths from air pollution every year.

The WHO said that ambient air pollution from outdoor activities like mining accounts for an estimated 4.2 million of such deaths due to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases.

 

“We suffer from trauma, anxiety”

Just like how the loud blast put Adegboyega, the mother of two, in an apprehensive state, many residents of Orogbangba told our correspondent that they now suffer from anxiety and trauma.

They claimed that the quarry mining company does not notify them before blasting rocks at the sites, noting that once an explosion occurs, mostly the elderly and children become scared and anxious.

The Baale, claimed there have been instances where children fainted due to sudden multiple explosions, while there has been a spike in the number of people coming down with high blood pressure.

The community leader also revealed that residents into poultry farming have shut down as their birds continued to die after suffering from shock.

Corroborating this, the secretary of the CDAs said he lost all his birds, while the building housing them was destroyed by constant vibration.

He revealed that not long ago, a child died in one of the communities under mysterious circumstances, noting that they suspected his death might have been caused by shock from the numerous explosion.

“The boy just died all of a sudden. There have been deaths in several communities and it might have been caused by these explosions but we don’t know yet,” he added.

 

Residents prone to organ failure – physician

Speaking against the backdrop of deaths witnessed in the communities, a public health expert, Timothy Olusegun said the residents might be prone to multiple organ failure due to shock, as well as other life-threatening complications.

He said people exposed to unexpected blasts will experience increased heartbeat rate, high blood pressure, and temperature instability because of damage to the nervous system.

The physician noted that the high level of noise caused by frequent blasts could be responsible for the death of birds in the poultries

“People who are exposed to persistent loud blasts will surely suffer serious health complications. They may experience amnesia, seizure, or respiratory arrest,” he added.

Major link bridge affected 

Residents claimed that a major bridge known as the Eiyenkorin, that connects motorists coming from Lagos to the Ilorin metropolis has been seriously affected by blasts from the quarry site.

Using Google Earth, Reportr Door Healthwise discovered that the distance between the quarry site and the bridge is about 40 meters.

During a visit to the bridge, several cracks were seen, which could have impacted on the structural stability of the concrete bridge.

A source from the Ministry of Environment, Kwara State, revealed that the expected lifespan of the bridge had decreased after a test was performed on it.

“If that bridge is expected to last for fifty years, its lifespan has reduced to between 10 to 15 years because of the level of vibration that occur around there.

“The explosive used by the company is too powerful and it has really affected the bridge. Heavy vibration will have an environmental impact and you know that the bridge is not too far from the blasting site,” the source said.

Endless fight for freedom 

Residents of Orogbangba told Reportr Door Healthwise that they have made several efforts to ensure that the Chinese-owned firm stops its blasting activities.

According to the CDAs secretary, several letters have been written to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, and the Kwara State Ministry of Environment.

Meanwhile, after several efforts to get the attention of the government failed, the resident in early April this year, embarked on a peaceful protest within the premises of the quarry company.

During the protest, they appealed to the state government to save them from untimely deaths by putting an end to the mining activities.

On April 14, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, in a letter signed by its officer in Kwara State, Henry Bolanrinwa, an engineer, asked the quarry company to stop drilling due to its negative impacts on the socio-amenities and environment surrounding the location.

The letter read in part, “May I please refer to my letter with Ref. No. MMSD/KW/GC/01/IV/166 dated 13th January 2022 on the above subject matter and with immediate effect suspend: all drilling and blasting operations at your quarry site situate at Eiyenkorin, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State due to its negative impacts on the socio-amenities and the environment surrounding your location.

“Sequel to the above, your present quarry face location is less than 50 metres to both the flyover and the road which outrightly negates the allowable/permissible distance approved by the extant Explosives Act and its Regulations. However, any form of further drilling and blasting at your quarry face will be tantamount to the willful destruction of those social amenities and the environment.

“It is, therefore, pertinent to suspend the operation with immediate effect in order to forestall unexpected havoc as a result of incessant blasting operations that might cause more damage to the lives and properties.”

The secretary of Orogbongba CDAs, however, said the letter from the federal ministry did not deter the company as it continued with its mining activities.

“On May 6, one of the blasts extensively destroyed buildings as usual. When we saw that they didn’t want to listen to us, we charged them to court and an injunction was given for them to stop blasting pending the determination of the suit.
“It was on the day that we got the ruling that the state ministry of environment came to the quarry site to lock it. But it has been reopened.”

 

Regulations just on paper

The National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013, stated that “Quarrying, blasting, haulage, crushing, and processing operations shall not be carried out in areas prescribed as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and Sites of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI) unless they are at least 1000m away from the quarrying and blasting areas.”

Section 12 of the regulation recommended that dust and Particulate Matter (PM) emitted from all operations in the quarry should be abated and sucked with the best available technologies.

Another section of the regulation also frowned at noise pollution and placed a maximum acceptable limit.

The regulation recommended that, “Noise pollution emanating from all operations in the quarry shall not exceed the maximum acceptable limit of 114 dB as set out in the National Environmental (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations, No 35 of 2009.”

On operating mechanisms and guidelines guiding blasting, the regulation stipulated that there should be a minimum safe distance between a quarry company and residential areas.

For example, section 20 of the regulation states, “A person shall not locate a quarry or engage in blasting within three kilometres of any misting residential, commercial, or industrial area.

Similarly, Section 22 indicated that, “A person shall not blast in such a way that the impact of such blast will cause any form of discomfort or nuisance to the public and residents within 1,000 meters from the epicentre of the site or users of the roads thereof.

“Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, the act of blasting shall be complete, whether or not the alleged act is preceded or accompanied by vibration, noise, air overpressure, fly rock, dust, fumes, or that the impact is felt within 1,000 meters from the site or epicentre of the blasting.”

Investigations carried out by Reportr Door Healthwise, however, showed that the China Kaidi company violated almost all the sections of the regulation guiding its operations.

For example, section 12 of the regulation recommended that quarry companies use the best available technologies to reduce dust or air pollution that occurs during blasting.

However, it was discovered that the mining company failed in this regard, going by the numerous complaints made by residents.

Also, sections 20 and 22 of the regulation recommended a specific distance between a quarry site and a residential area. But Google Earth showed that the distance between the location of China Kaidi and the last building in the Orogbangba community is less than three kilometres.

 

Unbothered Chinese 

Diggings into the history of the Chinese-owned company by Reportr Door Healthwise showed that it was registered under Nigeria Corporate Affairs Commission as Kai Di investment limited on February 14, 2012, with the registration number – RC-1010125.

Its office address was listed as being located at No. 1, Tigong Quarry site, Pyakasa village, Airport, Abuja.

Two Chinese nationals, Gaofeng Fu and Weiqin Zhu, were registered as directors.

On May 26, 2023, when our correspondent visited the company at Eiyenkorin, he was not allowed to go beyond the entrance gate.

At the time, operations were ongoing and trucks loaded with granites were seen driving out of the mining site that had mountain-like heaps of granites.

A Chinese expatriate was sighted sitting with some Nigerians under a metal shed situated opposite where the trucks were loading.

After waiting for a while at the gate, our correspondent was told by the gateman to schedule an appointment with the General Manager, whom he claimed was unavailable at the time of the visit.

However, after an extensive discussion with him, he changed his mind and called the GM.

After conversing for a while on the phone, the gateman explained to our correspondent that the MD said he would be travelling out of Kwara State for two weeks.

Meanwhile, when the gateman went to appeal with the Chinese man seated under the shed to speak with our correspondent, he declined.

While leaving the firm, our correspondent took a moment to stop on the Eiyenkorin Bridge, where anyone can have a clear view of activities going on below at the mining site below.

Gradually finding his way down through a bush path beside the bridge, our correspondent was able to access the company through a back gate.

It was discovered that a particular deep excavation crater had been abandoned and with water.

The sight, according to our correspondent was frightening and dizzying to look at.

An excavator and a drilling machine were seen being manned by employees of the mining company during the visit. This was despite the stop work order purportedly issued by the relevant agencies.

Community in environmental danger – Geoscientist

Siloko, the Geoscientist and Data Analyst told Reportr Door Healthwise that having a quarry site located within a residential area can have several environmental implications.

While listing air, noise, and water pollution as inherent environmental implications, he also said activities from such sites can also lead to the destruction of natural habitats.

He explained that the loss of biodiversity can disrupt local ecosystems, leading to decline or displacement of plant and animal species.

“Blasting operations and the movement of heavy machinery in quarry sites can generate dust, particulate matter, and potentially harmful gases. These pollutants can adversely affect air quality in the surrounding communities, leading to respiratory problems and other health issues.

“Quarrying activities, including blasting, can produce high levels of noise that can disturb the peace and well-being of nearby residents. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels can cause hearing impairment, stress, and other negative effects on human health.

“Quarrying can result in the contamination of nearby water sources through sediment runoff, leaching of chemicals from the site, and improper management of wastewater. This pollution can harm aquatic ecosystems and disrupt the balance of local ecosystems.

“Excessive vibrations caused by blasting activities can potentially damage structures, including residential buildings. Continuous vibrations over time can weaken the foundations of buildings, leading to cracks and structural instability. Vibrations can also cause annoyance and discomfort for residents and that relates to mental health.

“While heavy vibrations from blasting can potentially cause cracks in houses, it is essential for thorough structural stability assessment to be conducted by qualified professionals to determine the exact cause of the cracks. Other factors, such as building age, construction quality, and natural settlement of the ground could also contribute to the presence of cracks in houses.

On best practices expected, he said, “It is important for quarry operators to implement appropriate mitigation measures, such as dust suppression systems, proper waste management, and adherence to environmental regulations to minimise the negative impacts on the environment and surrounding communities.”

State government’s visit

In a letter sighted by our correspondent, the Kwara State Government, on May 15, 2023, announced the shutdown of the Chinese-owned quarry site.

The letter stated that the action was taken due to significant concerns over the safety of residents and environmental compliance.

The government also claimed the decision was made after an inspection carried out by the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency showed that numerous safety violations were discovered, among them being the absence of essential safety equipment for workers, inadequate training programmes, and insufficient measures to prevent accidents.

Besides, environmental concerns were equally raised, such as the lack of proper reclamation procedures and non-compliance with essential environmental permits and licenses.

The inspection team was reportedly led by the State Director of Environment, Abayomi Idowu, and accompanied by other senior staff of the agency and members of the Civil Defence Corps.

It was not long after the purported shutdown that Reportr Door Healthwise visited the company and its mining site, only to discover that activities at the site were ongoing and at full blast.

The officer in charge of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel in Kwara State, Engr. Bolarinwa, when contacted again, maintained that the company had been asked to shut down operations and was only permitted to dispose of raw materials and aggregates tied up at the location.

He revealed that the state government instructed the company to relocate to another site, far away from residents.

When told that the company was caught drilling during a visit, he insisted that the company can no longer blast in the area and threatened to take punitive actions if the  Chinese-owned company violates the order.

He said, “No further drilling is being carried out. If they do, they are just doing it on their own because they can’t do anything without my consent. If they are drilling, they are just wasting their time because they know that blasting can’t happen there.

“If you say they are drilling, let’s wait and see. The only thing that I can assure you is that they will hear from me. For now, blasting has been suspended. They can’t do anything unless they move somewhere far away from that place.

“What we discussed was for them to relocate and use that place as a selling point, and to crush their materials. I see no reason why they will still continue unless they want to violate an existing order.”

 

Skewed approval process, landowners’ complicity

Asked why a license was issued to the quarry company despite being located close to residential areas, Bolarinwa, revealed that the approval came from Abuja.

He said, “There is what is known in Nigeria as the clandestine system. With in place, I can go to any place of my interest, pick the coordinate and tell them that I want to register the place for mining. Clandestine will not know if the place is close to the road or residential areas.

The system will only ask them to get the consent of the land owners alongside the coordinate. Getting the consent of the landowners is the only condition that can make a license to be issued to anybody.

“Some people gave out the land and collected money from the Chinese nationals. These people leased the place for ten years or so. These are the wicked people.

“When they brought their license to me, I told them it was wrong and that if they are to work on the land, they can’t be there more than two to three years.
“It is our people that are the problem. If not because of covetousness, I don’t see why anybody will lease that land for that type of activity. We don’t solemnly blame the company; they wanted to do business, and it was left for the community to look at the implication before giving consent.

“If the community did not give consent, mining clandestine in Abuja will not give them a license. It is in Abuja that the license was issued, not in the state. Our office here does not issue such license.”

The federal officer admitted that the location of the mining can cause damage to properties and impact negatively on the health of residents.

He said, “That place is prone to several dangers that include damage to properties and lives. So, that is why I had to take the bold step to suspend activities there.

“I don’t blame them, I blame our people that collected money from them and put their children inside the company to work and get paid.

“If the community had resisted, the company won’t be sited there or have a license at all. I can bet it with my life that they can never blast in that place. If they are drilling, maybe they want to swim there.”

Meanwhile, the secretary to the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, Mrs. Idayat Folorunsho, told Reportr Door Healthwise that the company’s production control room had been placed under lock.

She explained that the site was partially opened so that the Chinese nationals living within the compound can have access to their sleeping area.

She also said mining activities had been banned at the site.

“It would be harsh and inhuman to drive them away. No further production is going on there until the state government’s conditions are met and the terms of negotiations with the communities are respected.

“Please note, however, that the community representatives on their own said the Chinese can continue to sell the granites already produced before shutting down. The only activity you saw there is with the consent of the community.

“Government’s committee on the issue has been there on a fact-finding mission. The whole essence is to protect the interest of the people, especially their health.”

 

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