Advocacy organisations have called for immediate government intervention due to the serious environmental degradation and socioeconomic issues caused by mining activity in Nasarawa State. The Nasarawa State Government has been urged by groups such as the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) and the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) to look into the effects of mining operations in the towns of Abuni and Uke.
The damaging impact that both legal and illicit mining have on the surrounding ecosystem is at the core of the problem. In mining areas, the NGOs have compiled evidence of pollution, deforestation, and water source degradation. The reported exploitation of young girls by miners, which exacerbates socioeconomic issues in these towns, is even more worrisome. In spite of previous alerts, it seems that have gotten worse, with businesses such as Multiverse Mining Company being linked to ecologically detrimental operations.
These advocacy groups have petitioned the state to conduct an environmental audit with an emphasis on the effects of mining on nearby agricultural and water sources. Additionally, they are pleading with the government to cancel mining permits for businesses that are discovered to have broken environmental regulations. The groups stress that if something isn’t done right away, the situation in the mining settlements of Nasarawa could worsen and turn into a serious environmental and social disaster.
The Nasarawa case underscores the critical need for stronger enforcement of environmental standards as mining continues to grow in Nigeria. A more sustainable mining industry will depend on safeguarding both human safety and the environment.
