Nigerian Community rendered blind, homeless through mining activities

Residents of Ilode area in Ile-Ife, Osun state, have lamented that mining activities in the area is constituting life threats and hazards to them.

The chairman of the Landlords Association of Olopo 11,‎ Mr. Olafare Olarotimi, stated that “the power from the mining activities has had adverse effect on their health resulting in “blindness, hypertension, blocking of flowing of water which led to erosion.”

He called on the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and the federal government to come to their aids by relocating them from mining area to safety site.

He made the appeal while briefing pressmen during their protest, on Monday, in Ile-Ife.
Olarotimi pointed accusing fingers at two mining companies: MARSS Mining Company and NASAUDE International Mining Company Limited, involved in excavating precious stones called Tarmaline in the community, for being masterminds of their woes.

“All houses in the area are affected by collapsing, cracking of walls, destroying the roofing among others.
“Majority of us have relocated our aged parents to safety areas, for our lives and properties are no longer safe in this area.
“Anytime we are leaving home, our children must follow us, for we are not assure of any harzard that might have occurred, house might have falls or cracked before we come back.”

Olarotimi further stated that the community has written letters to the Osun Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Oyeleye, president of Ife Development Board (IDB), Prof Muibi Opeloye, among others, but none yielded positive result.

He, therefore, warned the two companies to vacate the land and allow them to live in peace or, on the alternative, government should relocate them, for the companies to have full access to the mining site.

He added: “We are for peace and harmony and we pledged our hundred percent support to the government on mining of tarmaline and other mineral resources in our vicinity, (since) our nation needs it to boost the economy.

“But at the same time, government should expedite our relocation (in order to save) our lives and properties, for the mining activities have caused environmental and health hazard and heavy erosion among others to our families.”
Also, one of the affected landlords, Mr. Benson Adewoyin, lamented the collapse of his building, and condemned the lackadaisical attitude of the companies towards their safety.

“When these people visited my residence and viewed the effect of the mining activities, they promised paying me N2 million, but only N200,000 was (eventually) given to me which cannot repair half of their destruction,” he complained.

Meanwhile, a Septuagenarian, Mr. Adeniji Akinola, also lamented the loss of his sight through the flame from the mining sites.

In an emotional laden voice, he said, “I was not born blind, but became blind through the power of the bombing.
“I regretted building my house in this community, now I cannot see again neither be able to work or do anything on my own.

“Am appealing to the state and federal government to come to our aids in rescuing us from the hands of the powerful ones and save our souls, for we are dying.

All efforts to speak with the manager and workers of the two mining companies proved abortive.
Calls put across to the official contacts of the company didn’t also go through.