Stakeholders Call for Decommissioning of Abandoned Mining Sites in Enugu

Stakeholders have called for the decommissioning of all abandoned coal mining sites in Enugu State. The group, including environmental rights activists, retired miners, their families, and the media, raised the demand during a town hall and media interactive session on coal mining in Enugu.

The event was organized by the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), in partnership with New Life Community Care Initiative (NELCCI), Neighborhood Environmental Watch (NEW) Foundation, Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), and Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN).

Speakers emphasized that despite 70 years of coal mining in the state, there has been little benefit to miners, their families, or the state itself, with years of environmental degradation and suffering being the main legacy.

The stakeholders agreed to petition the Enugu State government, urging them to advocate for a just energy transition that considers both people and the environment.

In his opening remarks, Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI, stated that coal mining had brought no economic gain to the state, labeling it a “disinvestment” to the communities. Jakpor noted that although the state government banned illegal mining in 2023, there has been little progress toward assessing the environmental health of the region.

He warned of the dangers posed by the legacy of underground mining in the area, including earth collapses, polluted groundwater, and the displacement of local communities by herdsmen. He also expressed concerns about undocumented coal-laden trucks leaving Enugu daily.

Stakeholders issued several demands, including a full audit of post-coal mining activities, decommissioning of the dormant mines, compensation for former miners and their families, and greater transparency from the state government regarding coal mining operations and revenue. They also advocated for a transition to renewable energy sources and the formation of community networks to monitor environmental practices in mining areas.

Retired miners and families of deceased miners also spoke out, lamenting years of neglect by the government.