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Enugu Govt launches new mining regulations

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Sand mining
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The Enugu State Government has introduced new mining regulations aimed at ensuring fair revenue distribution for host communities and enhancing safety standards throughout the state.

These reforms, which seek to formalize mining operations, are designed to strengthen accountability in the sector while ensuring that local communities benefit directly from mineral resource extraction.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by Dan Nwomeh, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.

The statement also highlighted that the reforms are being led by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals and Mining.

NEW: Enugu gov’t sets new rules for mining and burrow pits

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The statement in full:

ENUGU STATE BEGIN:S FORMALIZATION OF SAND MINING SECTOR TO ENHANCE SAFETY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND REVENUE GENERATION

In line with the cardinal policies of Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah emphasizing traceability, transparency, and accountability, and in response to the alarming state of operations in the mining sector, the Enugu State Government, through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals and Mining, has initiated a comprehensive formalization of mining activities across the state. This strategic initiative is aimed at safeguarding lives, enforcing regulatory compliance, and ensuring fair revenue distribution for host communities and the state at large.
Over the past few years, the state has tragically lost over twenty lives in mining pits, largely due to poor safety practices, lack of accountability, and the unregulated nature of the sector. Investigations into these fatalities have been largely absent, leaving affected families and communities without closure or justice.

Addressing These Gaps: A Unified Regulatory Approach

The current unstructured operations in sand mining have created an environment where rules are ignored, safety measures are non-existent, and revenues due to both the government and local communities go unpaid. To remedy this, the state government is launching a formalization initiative that includes the following:

1. Mandatory Registration and Unionization for Enhanced Oversight and Accountability:
All operators in sand, laterite, and mudstone mines, pit owners, mine union workers, evacuation units (tipper operators), excavator and artisan operators and the Miners Association of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, are now required to register with the Ministry of Solid Mineral Resources. Each pit must maintain and submit a comprehensive list of its workers to the Ministry to ensure proper oversight and accountability.

2. Establishment of Unified Burrow pit Owners Union:
To strengthen collective accountability, a standardized and recognized Union of Burrow Pit Owners has been established. This union will serve as a centralized body for coordinating and maintaining records of all registered pits and their personnel. The Ministry emphasizes that all forms of careless and irresponsible mining practices will no longer be tolerated.

3. Mandatory Ministerial Oversight on Price Adjustments in the Mining Sector:
Any review or adjustment of prices by units operating within the mining sector must be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Mineral Resources. This measure is instituted to maintain transparency and fairness, prevent arbitrary pricing, and ensure alignment with established regulatory and economic standards.

4. Enforcement of Safety Standards:

Every pit must adhere to safety measures developed by certified safety experts. Regular inspections and safety reports will be required to assess the structural integrity of pits. Operations in collapsing or hazardous pits will be suspended to prevent further loss of life.

5. Payment of Royalties and Levies:

Operators will be required to pay appropriate royalties and levies. These include community development levies to ensure that host communities benefit from the resources extracted from their land—an issue that has long been a source of tension and conflict.

6. Establishment of Community Mining Committees and Implementation of Transparency Measures:

All mining communities are required to establish a Community Mining Committee within seven (7) days from the date of this notice. Once formed, the list of committee members must be submitted to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Mineral and Mining for official inauguration.

Following this period, all ground levies due to communities will no longer be paid into private accounts but will instead be directed to designated community project accounts. This decision stems from persistent complaints regarding the diversion of community funds by individuals and is intended to promote greater transparency, accountability, and equitable development.

The Community Mining Committee will be responsible for ensuring that all ground rents and payments made to the community in relation to mining activities are properly accounted for and communicated to the General Assembly of the community. The committee will be held fully accountable for any mismanagement or misappropriation of these funds.

7. Enforcement of Sealed Pits Under Safety and Environmental Regulations:

All mining pits that have been sealed by the Ministry in collaboration with the Mining Marshal for safety and regulatory violations must remain sealed. These pits are not to be reopened until the safety concerns have been adequately addressed. All units are hereby advised to take note and ensure full compliance.

A Call for Cooperation

This formalization process is not punitive but corrective. It is designed to bring order, save lives, and create a more sustainable environment for all stakeholders. We call on all sand mining operators, community leaders, and stakeholders to cooperate fully with this process. The goal is a safer, more transparent, and equitable mining sector in Enugu State.
The lives of our people cannot be traded for profit, and as a government, we will no longer allow unregulated operations to put our citizens at risk. This reform marks a new chapter in solid mineral resource management, and we invite everyone to play their part in building a safer and more responsible industry.

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2027 Election: Yilwatda apologises to aggrieved Oyo APC members, seeks unity

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Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has apologised to aggrieved members over perceived wrongs during the party’s internal primaries, saying the National Working Committee (NWC) takes responsibility for such actions.

Yilwatda, who made the disclosure on Thursday in Ibadan during the launch of the APC governorship candidate campaign office in Ibadan, appealed to members who felt hurt, injured, prevented or excluded in any form to forgive the party and remain united ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the responsibility extended beyond Oyo State, stressing that the committee that conducted the party’s primaries was constituted by the national leadership and therefore, any mistake committed by it amounted to a mistake by the party.

“This is not for Oyo State alone. Anywhere anybody made a mistake in a state, it is our mistake because the committee was set up by us and they are representing us.

“If anybody is hurt, if anybody is injured, if anybody is prevented or excluded in any form or the other, we take responsibility. On TV, before Nigerians, we take responsibility of all that has happened. I appeal to everybody that we are sorry,” he said.

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The APC national chairman urged members at polling units, wards and local government areas across the country to regard the matter as an internal family affair.

Yilwatda assured that the party was taking Oyo State seriously because of its strategic importance and large voting population, second only to Lagos.

Speaking, the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, commended the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for fulfilling his promises to the state within two days.

Alli expressed appreciation to Yilwatda for honouring the invitation to meet with governorship aspirants and stakeholders, saying the achievements recorded within the period surpassed what the stakeholders had been able to accomplish.

He said the promises made when the national chairman invited the aspirants had now been fulfilled.

“We cannot thank you enough for what you have come to do. What you have achieved successfully in two days, we have not been able to accomplish,” Alli said.

He assured the national chairman that the party in Oyo would continue to do the needful.

Earlier, mammoth crowd of members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered in Ibadan on Thursday as the party’s national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, officially inaugurated the party’s governorship campaign office in Dandaru, along the Total Garden-Mokola Road, Ibadan.

The inauguration formed part of activities marking the APC National Chairman’s two-day official visit to Oyo State, which commenced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Party members from across the 33 local government areas of the state converged on the venue to witness the official inauguration of the campaign office and welcome the national chairman.

The campaign office will serve as the secretariat of the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli.

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AFRAA welcomes Enugu Air, strengthens Nigeria’s Domestic Aviation growth

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The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted Enugu Air as Member, extending the Association’s membership base in Nigeria’s fast-growing domestic aviation market and reaffirming AFRAA’s commitment to supporting the continued development of African carriers across the continent.

This was announced by AFRAA in Nairobi on Wednesday, making Enugu Air the 50th Member of the association, joining the AFRAA airline fraternity, collectively representing more than 85 per cent of total international traffic carried by African airlines.

Speaking on the occasion, AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, said, “We are delighted to welcome Enugu Air into the AFRAA fraternity.

“As a state-backed carrier serving Nigeria’s rapidly expanding domestic market, Enugu Air represents the kind of homegrown investment that is vital to building resilient air connectivity across our continent.

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“We look forward to supporting the airline through the IOSA certification process and to its continued growth within the AFRAA membership, as we work together to advance the cause of unified African skies.”

Reacting to the development, the CEO of Enugu, Capt Tolu Ita, described the admission into AFRAA as a major milestone in the airline’s short history.

“We are honoured to join the AFRAA fraternity. This membership underscores Enugu Air’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable air travel for Nigerians while contributing to the vision of a unified African aviation market.

“We look forward to collaborating with fellow AFRAA members and leveraging the association’s support as we grow our network and pursue IOSA certification,” Tolu stated.

Founded on July 7, 2025, Enugu Air commenced commercial operations with a fleet of Embraer E170/E190/E195 aircraft.

The airline, which has its headquarters in Enugu and operates from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, currently serves nine domestic destinations including Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Benin City.

As part of the airline’s growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

As part of its growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

The admission of Enugu Air aligns with AFRAA’s strategic priorities and strengthens the voice of the association. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing economies, remains central to the realization of a truly integrated African aviation market.

Meanwhile, founded in Accra, Ghana, in April 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, AFRAA’s mission is to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry.

The association envisions a sustainable, interconnected and affordable air transport industry in Africa, where African airlines become key players and drivers of African economic development.

AFRAA membership cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators.

The association’s members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.

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Aiyedatiwa appoints 1,004 aides, picks commissioner, three advisers

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Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa
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Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved a fresh round of appointments involving a commissioner, three Special Advisers and 1,000 other aides.

The appointments comprise 90 Senior Special Assistants and 910 Special Assistants, with the governor saying the move is intended to reinforce his administration and improve its reach across the state.

Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, from Akoko North-West Local Government Area, has been nominated as Commissioner for Special Duties. Her nomination has been transmitted to the state House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

The governor also appointed Hon. Abimbola Fajolu as Special Adviser on Environment, Chief Ade Adeniyi as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, and Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi as Special Adviser on Transport.

Among those named as Senior Special Assistants are Erelu Toyin Ogungbure, Women Mobilisation (South); Bidemi Obayangbon, Forestry; Gboluge Olufunmi Alex, Community Engagement (South); Hon. Akin Adeniyi, Community Engagement (Central); and Obayan Theophilus Ayodeji, Community Engagement (North).

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Others include Kelvin Solomon, Students Affairs; Adeolu Iwakun, Volunteer Services; Samson Job Bazuaye, Oil and Gas; Fade Ojamomi, Youth Empowerment and Job Creation; Sam Adepoju, Public Engagement; and Alhaji Samad Orijeminiyi, Scholarship.

Also appointed are Victor Omodara, Grassroots Mobilisation; Abayomi Adefolalu, Photography; and Alhaji Abdukadiri Adenoyi, Prince Nzuoma Egbulefu and Alhaji Garba Goni, all for Non-Indigenes.

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