By Peter Ajayi
The Bayelsa State Government has announced a total ban on all unauthorised and illegal mining of mineral resources across communities in the state’s eight local government areas.
The government also cautioned community leaders against entering into memoranda of understanding with illegal miners, warning that such agreements are null, void, and of no effect. Community heads who ignore the directive risk sanctions.
Governor Douye Diri made the announcement on Monday during a town hall meeting in Yenagoa with community leaders, senior government officials, and other stakeholders from Southern Ijaw, Brass, and Ekeremor LGAs. He was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Diri described the mining of silicon—popularly called black sand—in Foropa, Agge, Die-ama, and other coastal communities by external miners as illegal, environmentally unsafe, and harmful to public health.
He ordered the immediate suspension of all such mining operations statewide and placed an embargo on communities entering MoUs with companies for mineral extraction without prior government approval.
While the administration encourages investment, the governor stressed that no business activity would be allowed to endanger the environment, public safety, or state revenue.
Community leaders who violate the directive, he warned, would be arrested and prosecuted under relevant state laws.
According to the governor, illegal mining constitutes a security threat, breaches environmental impact assessment regulations, and deprives the state of legitimate income.
He said:
“The state has recently witnessed a trend we are not comfortable with. People from outside are illegally mining silicon or black sand in our communities without government authorisation, and that must stop immediately.
“It is dangerous to our environment and public health. Illegal mining activities in the north contributed to the banditry affecting several states. We will not allow that here. Some communities have even gone ahead to sign MoUs with these miners. The government is displeased with such actions.”
He added that all MoUs signed without government approval are now invalid.
Commissioner for Environment, Ebi Ben-Ololo, urged communities to comply with an existing law enacted by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, which outlines the proper procedure for mining activities and requires government authorization.
Traditional rulers—including the Paramount Ruler of Foropa, His Royal Highness Olabai Olozulu; his Die-ama counterpart, His Royal Highness Baratuaipre Amaene; and the CDC Chairman of Odioma, Chief Forcebray Eketekpe—welcomed the government’s intervention and pledged community support.
The development comes just after the Northern States Governors’ Forum called for a six-month suspension of mining activities following rising insecurity, including kidnappings and killings. The forum identified illegal mining as a major driver of unrest.
