The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has stressed its determination to end illegal mining activities in the FCT due to the danger they pose to the health of residents.
FCT Minister Muhammad Musa Bello stated this when he led a delegation from the FCTA on a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Abuja on Wednesday.
A Chinese firm, Hongao Mining Limited, is mining gold in Kutasa, a remote village in Karshi ward of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The FCT minister stated that the company did not obtain the proper permits from the relevant authorities before undertaking the gold mining operations which have contaminated the community’s water source.
“What we saw is something of great concern to us as an administration, particularly because in our records, we had no inkling whatsoever that the company was even granted a mining lease to prospect for gold in an area within the FCT.
“The company went ahead and entered into agreements with the local communities without the knowledge of the traditional structure, as well as the local government administration structure. All these, obviously, are wrong, because they are totally against the existing policy on mining,” he added.
The minister expressed the appreciation of the FCTA to the Ministry of Water Resources for drawing the attention of the administration to the activities and dangers posed by the mining activities at the location.
He also said a report had been prepared to be discussed with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in the matter.
Malam Bello also disclosed that the FCTA was in discussion with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to improve the quality of the water in Jabi Lake, Abuja.
While welcoming the FCT delegation, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Sulaiman Adamu, thanked the minister for the visit, and commended the FCTA for its action regarding the mining activities in Kutasa community.
He said that issues of water pollution emanating from mining activities was of great concern to his ministry considering the issue of lead poisoning in Niger State as a result of such activities in 2016. Daily Trust
