- Wambugu said some of those involved in mining activities within Athi River subcounty had no relevant legal documents hence operated illegally.
- He said the government was profiling all investors carrying out mining which include quarrying activities, ballasting and cut stone machine for construction.
Image: GEORGE OWITI
Athi River deputy county commissioner Charles Wambugu has warned investors against misusing mining licenses especially in Mavoko, Machakos county.
Wambugu said some of those involved in mining activities within Athi River subcounty had no relevant legal documents hence operated illegally.
He said the government was profiling all investors carrying out mining which include quarrying activities, ballasting and cutting stones for construction of houses.
“We have been receiving complaints from members of the public particularly from Mlolongo and Lukenya divisions around Kamulu area on illegal mining and quarrying activities,” Wambugu said.
He said they had discussed the issue with Machakos county Nema director.
“Once we get a full list of who is doing what, we are going to institute a multi-agency team headed by myself. Machakos county Nema director will constitute the secretariat,” the commissioner said.
Wambugu spoke to the Star at his office in Athi River on Friday.
He said they will incorporate other government agencies. The multiagency will conduct a rapid inspection of all those carrying out quarrying activities to establish who has which license and who doesn’t have.
“As you are aware the law requires that if you want to carry out those activities you must conduct public participation. We want to know who has done that, who has been issued with the licences to carry out those activities,” Wambugu said.
He said the law requires the investors to conduct self-audits after two to three years, adding that this is a requirement by Nema Act.
“We also want to deal with those in the quarries processing cut machines for construction and those doing ballasting. Some could be doing the activities without licenses from Mining ministry,” he said.
“Some of those who have licenses misuse them. They don’t adhere to the requirements. Blasting has got its timelines, you can’t blast at midnight because you will interfere with families while asleep. It shouldn’t be done at night,” Wambugu said.
Residents who separately spoke to the Star said several houses had weakened due to the blasts thereby posing risks to residents and called for speedy intervention by relevant authorities.
Wambugu said investors who aren’t compliant will be forced to or have their quarries closed by the state.
He said there were about 10– 15 investors carrying out various quarrying activities in Athi River subcounty according to a tentative report he had.
The activities included harvesting marrum, blasting hard rock for concrete and ballast, and processing cut machines. “We urge residents to be patient since the construction industry requires those resources. But, those activities must be carried out within the provisions of the law,” Wambugu said.
-Edited by SKanyara