The Bayelsa State Government has announced a total ban on all forms of unauthorized and illegal mining activities across communities in the state, warning traditional rulers and community leaders against entering into unapproved agreements with miners.
The government gave this warning on Monday, December 8, 2025, during a town hall meeting with community leaders, top government officials and other critical stakeholders from Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor and Brass local government areas of the state.
The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere; the Deputy Speaker, Chief Michael Ogbere; the member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, Hon. Victor Sele Ben, and his Brass Constituency 2 counterpart, Hon. Timi Omubo-Agala
Others in attendance were the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; other top government functionaries including commissioners, local government chairmen, service commanders, traditional rulers and environmentalists.
During the meeting, the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, warned community leaders who had been reportedly signing memoranda of understanding with illegal miners to desist or face sanctions, declaring the MoU null and void and of no effect.
While addressing the people, the governor raised concern over the illegal extraction of black sand (silicon) by miners from outside the state in coastal communities including Foropa, Agge and Die-ama, describing the activity as a serious environmental and health hazard.
He ordered an immediate halt to all such mining operations and placed a prohibition on communities signing MoUs with companies for mineral exploration without government approval.
Diri emphasized that while his administration continues to attract investment, it will not permit activities that endanger residents, violate environmental laws or deprive the state of legitimate revenue. He warned that defaulting community leaders, including paramount rulers, would be arrested and prosecuted.
According to him, “the state has recently witnessed a dimension we are not comfortable with. There is a developing issue in Ekeremor, Brass and Southern Ijaw LGAs.
“People from outside the state are illegally mining silicon or black sand in our community, without the authorization of government, and that has to stop forthwith.
“It is both dangerous to the safety of our environment and health. Unchecked Illegal mining activities in the north contributed to the banditry that has engulfed several states in the north. We won’t allow that here.
“We learn some communities have gone ahead to sign MoUs with these illegal miners. Government is angry with those communities for signing agreements with miners without consulting the relevant government institutions and agencies.
“Government is, therefore, directing the immediate suspension of all such illegal silicon or black sand mining activities across the state.
“An embargo is hereby placed on MoUs between communities and companies from within or outside the state. And every MoU already signed without government approval is hereby declared invalid and of no effect.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ebi Ben Ololo, emphasized the need for communities to obey an extant law passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, which regulates and outlines the procedure for carrying out mining activities with necessary government authorization.
On their part, the Paramount Ruler of Foropa, His Royal Highness Olabai Olozulu, his Die-ama Community counterpart, His Royal Highness Baratuaipre Amaene and the CDC Chairman of Odioma, Chief Forcebray Eketekpe, commended the state government’s intervention and pledged the support of their respective communities.
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