By Nasratu Kargbo
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Southern Region has burnt five dredges involved in the illegal mining of gold.
In an interview with Politico on the 8th February 2022 the Regional Information Education and Communication Officer, EPA South, Fomba Sheriff explained that the dredges were destroyed within nine days.
Giving details, Fomba said on a raid carried out by the agency three dredges were found and set ablaze at Yele Town on the 28th January 2022, whilst on the Saturday 5th February 2022 two dredges were located at Yele, Gbonkolenken Chieifdom, and Yarbon Community all in Tonkolili, and Bo districts.
Four Sierra Leoneans were arrested during the raid at Yarbon, and according to Fomba, they are currently at the Bo central Police station helping with the investigation.
When asked whether local authorities were involved in the incident, the Communications Officer said no local authority has been found wanting but however said: “We know that these people cannot plant these dredges without any connection with certain people in the community”.
The agency has announced that they do not give permits for the use of dredge in the country’s water bodies, adding that any Sierra Leonean engaged in such activity should consider it illegal.
EPA emphasized that they are not against mining but stressed the need for responsible and sustainable mining, the agency will not tolerate haphazard and unsustainable mining practices that have no consideration for the environment and the local people’s health.
The Agency further stated that they will continue to destroy all dredge machines that are planted in the water bodies across the country to reinstate sanity in the marine ecosystem as the local communities depend on these rivers for drinking, fishing, and other activities.
The clampdown occurred after an inspection on the infraction along the River Sewa in Jembe by the Executive Chairman of the agency, Dr. Bondi Gevao.
Copyright © 2022 Politico (09/02/22)
