CONCERNS and complaints from the Toshao and representatives of the village of Isseneru, Region 8, have led  Minister of Governance with responsibility for Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman to direct that mining works be ceased by the operator of a water dredge in the area.This order is effective immediately, pending a fact-finding mission to be conducted by the ministry in the area Wednesday, the Ministry of the Presidency said Saturday evening.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment will be fielding a team of relevant authorities and stakeholders to assess the water quality and other issues and concerns related to pollution and adherence to boundary laws.  This will allow for a final decision to be taken in this matter.

Village leaders of Isseneru have publicly raised a number of concerns on the health and well-being of residents, especially the children, since a number of mining concessions are being operated in close proximity to their village.

The government has undertaken the task of addressing the issue of land management and the distribution of lands for various sectors in a holistic manner, with the intention of creating a National Land Use Policy to avoid these occurrences.