Miners without protective equipment at risk of kidney diseases, NESREA warns

Stanley Okorie, coordinator, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in Ebonyi, says miners risk kidney diseases if they don’t use protective equipment.

Okorie, who spoke to NAN on Tuesday, said the habit of not using protective equipment during mining could also lead to early aging. 

He also said the adequate provision of protective equipment should be made for miners.

“It can cause early aging. We must imbibe the spirit of using protective equipment, because this will go a long way in checkmating diseases that can be caused through mining,” he said.

Okorie also expressed worry over the exposure of women and children to mining activities, saying it could be dangerous to their health.

TheCable had, in 2018, reported how women and children working at mining sites did not use protective gears, thereby exposing themselves tuberculosis, kidney diseases, and lung cancer.

The NESREA coordinator also said land degradation and erosion are major challenges facing the environment, adding that the agency will enforce environmental laws.

“Land degradation is as a result of artisans’ mining activities. Erosion is usually caused by the operation of heavy-duty equipment,” he said.

“Degradation and erosion can affect agricultural activities which may have effects on crops. Our mandate is to enforce all environmental laws and regulations. We will continue to sensitise the people.”