NESREA: We’re investigating Osun river pollution — perpetrators will be prosecuted

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) says it is investigating the pollution of the Osun river. 

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Aliyu Jauro, director-general of NESREA, said the agency has received several complaints about the activities of artisanal miners in the area.

In June 2022, an investigation by TheCable revealed how mining activities in Ilesa communities in Osun state have polluted the water body at the popular Osun-Osogbo grove.

The area is renowned for large gold deposits and other minerals, but owing to the heightened mining activity, waste, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemicals are washed into the tributaries which end up in the Osun river.

Jauro said the agency had intensified its compliance monitoring of the affected areas and noticed a large presence of Chinese miners and artisanal miners who mine and wash the minerals along the river.

He added that the water and soil samples on the area have been collected for laboratory analysis to determine the level of pollution, after which those involved in unsustainable mining practices will be made to face the law.

“Recently, the Agency has been inundated with several complaints on the resurgence of the activities of artisanal miners in the area raising fears of degradation of the environment, destruction of farmlands and contamination of water sources especially the Osun River,” he said.

“Following the recent reports, the Agency had intensified its compliance monitoring of the affected areas which revealed a large presence of Chinese miners, who with the aid of excavators and related equipment, mine and wash the minerals along or close to river courses.

“There was also high activity of artisanal miners who scavenge surface minerals at abandoned mine pits and wash them in nearby rivers, most of which flow into the Osun river. The river has become more turbid with reddish colouration from the disturbance of mining and washing into the river.

“This is worrisome since the cultural practices at the Osun Grove require contact with the water in the form of drinking, bathing and people also use the water daily in their homes.

“A full-fledged investigation has been launched and officers from the Headquarters and the south-west zonal office has been in Osun state, collecting water and soil samples which have been taken for laboratory analysis to determine the level of pollution of these activities which will inform our enforcement decisions so as to protect the life of Nigerians affected by these activities.

“At the conclusion of the investigation, the provisions of the National Environmental (Mining and Processing of coal, ores and industrial minerals) Regulations, 2009 and other environmental instruments will be invoked against those involved in unsustainable mining practices in the state. This will definitely mean that perpetrators will have their facilities sealed and they would also be charged to court for environmental violation.”

Jauro added that NESREA, in a bid to protect the environment, embarked on an enforcement drive which led to the sealing of 39 facilities across the country for failing to comply with extant environmental laws.

He said the agency will review the national environmental regulations in the coming weeks to strengthen the enforcement infrastructure.