Breaking: Bayelsa Mining Operations Halted As Government Orders Immediate Suspension

The Bayelsa State Government has announced a complete ban on all unauthorised and illegal mining of minerals across its eight local government areas.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Authorities have also warned traditional rulers and community leaders against signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with illegal miners, emphasizing that any such agreements are null and void.

Governor Douye Diri made the announcement on Monday, December 8, during a town hall meeting with community leaders, senior officials, and other stakeholders from Southern Ijaw, Brass, and Ekeremor LGAs in Yenagoa. Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor described the ongoing mining of silicon—commonly referred to as black sand—in coastal communities such as Foropa, Agge, and Die-ama by external miners as both illegal and hazardous.

“These activities pose serious threats to environmental safety and public health,” he said, ordering an immediate halt to all mining operations and placing a ban on communities entering into MoUs with companies for mineral extraction without prior government approval.

Governor Diri stressed that while his administration is open to attracting legitimate investors, it would not tolerate businesses that compromise the safety and security of host communities. He warned that community leaders who violate this directive would face arrest and prosecution under state law.

Illegal mining, he explained, not only contravenes environmental impact assessment regulations but also undermines security and deprives the state of legitimate revenue.

“The state has recently witnessed troubling developments in Ekeremor, Brass, and Southern Ijaw LGAs, where outsiders are mining silicon without authorisation. This must stop immediately,” Governor Diri stated.

He further noted the dangers of unchecked illegal mining, citing northern states where similar activities have contributed to rising banditry, and warned that such practices would not be tolerated in Bayelsa.

The governor criticized communities that have signed MoUs with illegal miners, reiterating that government institutions must be consulted before entering such agreements. “All MoUs signed without government approval are hereby declared invalid and of no effect,” he declared.

Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Environment, Ebi Ben-Ololo, emphasized the importance of adhering to the state law regulating mining activities and the proper procedures for obtaining authorization.

Community leaders, including the Paramount Rulers of Foropa and Die-ama, His Royal Highness Olabai Olozulu and His Royal Highness Baratuaipre Amaene, along with Odioma CDC Chairman Chief Forcebray Eketekpe, lauded the government’s intervention and pledged full support.

This decision comes amid growing national concern over illegal mining. Recently, the Northern States Governors’ Forum called for a six-month suspension of mining operations, citing the abduction of schoolchildren and killings in certain states, and identified illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity.