The Bayelsa State Government has placed an outright ban on all unauthorized and illegal mining of mineral resources in communities across the state.

The State Government has equally issued a stern warning to community leaders who had been reportedly signing memoranda of understanding with illegal miners in their domains to stop forthwith or face sanctions, declaring such agreements already entered into as null and void and of no effect.

Governor Douye Diri made the declarations on Monday during a town hall meeting with community leaders, top government officials, and other critical stakeholders from Southern Ijaw, Brass, and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of the state in Yenagoa.

Governor Diri, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, described the illegal mining of “black sand” also known as silicon at Foropa, Agge, Die-ama, and other coastal communities in the state by miners from outside as a dangerous threat to the safety of the Bayelsa environment and the health of the people.

While directing the immediate suspension of all such mining activities in all parts of the state, Governor Diri pronounced an embargo on communities from signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with companies, without consulting with government, to mine minerals in their areas.

The Bayelsa Chief Executive pointed out that while his administration is creating the enabling environment to attract both foreign and local investors, it would not tolerate any business to undermine the security and safety of the people and their environment.

He warned that paramount leaders and other community leaders who violate the order would be arrested and prosecuted in line with relevant laws of the state, stressing that illegal mining not only violates environmental impact assessment laws but also poses a serious security threat and robs the state of legitimate revenues.

His words: “The state has recently witnessed a dimension we are not comfortable with. There is a developing issue in Ekeremor, Brass, and Southern Ijaw LGAs.

“People from outside the state are illegally mining silicon or black sand in our community, without the authorization of the government, and that has to stop forthwith.

“It is both dangerous to the safety of our environment and health. Unchecked Illegal mining activities in the north contributed to the banditry that has engulfed several states in the north. We won’t allow that here.

“We learn some communities have gone ahead to sign MoUs with these illegal miners. The government is angry with those communities for signing agreements with miners without consulting the relevant government institutions and agencies.

“Government is, therefore, directing the immediate suspension of all such illegal silicon or black sand mining activities across the state.

“An embargo is hereby placed on MoUs between communities and companies from within or outside the state. And every MoU already signed without government approval is hereby declared invalid and of no effect.”

In his submission, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ebi Ben-Ololo, stressed the need for communities to obey an extant law passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, which regulates and outlines the procedure for carrying out mining activities with necessary government authorization.

On their part, the Paramount Ruler of Foropa, His Royal Highness Olabai Olozulu, his Die-ama Community counterpart, His Royal Highness Baratuaipre Amaene, and the CDC Chairman of Odioma, Chief Forcebray Eketekpe, commended the state government’s intervention and pledged the support of their respective communities.

Others who made contributions at the meeting included the Regent of Okpoama Kingdom, High Chief Briggs Omubo, Mr. Tobins Okiri, and Mr. Theodore Allison.

The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, the Deputy Speaker, Chief Michael Ogbere, the member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, Hon. Sele Ben, and his Brass Constituency 2 counterpart, Hon. Timi Omubo-Agala.

Others in attendance were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; other top government functionaries, including commissioners, local government chairmen, service commanders, traditional rulers, and environmentalists.