Ebonyi Commissioner Decries Foreign Dominance in Mining, Pledges Crackdown on Child Labour
By Ewa Ugonma
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Chidi Onyia, has strongly criticized the continued domination of Nigeria’s mining sector by foreign interests, accusing them of exploiting local resources while neglecting host communities.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ebonyi State branch, Onyia expressed concern over the marginalization of indigenous miners and the socio-economic degradation faced by mining communities.
“Foreigners are using our minerals to develop their countries while our people remain impoverished,” Onyia said. “We inherited a system that prioritized revenue over human welfare.”
He condemned the increasing incidence of child labour and hazardous working conditions at mining sites, attributing the problem to local actors who collaborate with companies to exploit vulnerable populations.
Dr. Onyia announced that the ministry will work closely with FIDA to enforce existing laws and prosecute those who violate them.
“Any mining site that allows children or pregnant women to work will face legal action,” he warned.
FIDA Chairperson, Ik-Odeh Oluchukwu, commended the commissioner’s stance and emphasized the need to protect women and children in mining communities. She also stressed the importance of enforcing safety standards and ensuring that children are in school, not mining pits.
“Children belong in classrooms, not in hazardous mining environments,” she stated.
Onyia reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s administration to reforming the mining sector in line with the People’s Charter of Needs, ensuring that the welfare of citizens takes precedence over profits.
