Kwara State Government has ordered Chinese company, Kaidi Quarry, working along Eiyenkorin-Ogbomoso Road, Ilorin, to stop excavation on the site to prevent degradation in the area.

General Manager (GM), of Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, Saad Dan-Musa, gave the directive yesterday during the agency's visit to the site.

Dan-Musa queried the company and directed it to halt further blasting until the agency completes its assessment of the site.

He gave the company 72 hours to respond to the query, noting that the blasting might destroy the bridge and parts of the highway.

The GM said the visit to the quarry site was to assess the firm's compliance with safety regulations, environmental standards and operational efficiency, adding that continued blasting in the area might lead to ecological hazards.

“The Kwara State Government cares not only about its people, but also the environment, and would do everything within its power to protect them. Our visit is to ensure that the activities of your company do not lead to degradation of our land, such that people living in this area are not exposed to danger, and that your workers, who are mostly Nigerians, are adequately protected,” Dan-Musa said.

He disclosed that the inspection visit was in response to the growing concerns regarding the safety of workers and environmental impact of quarrying activities in the area, especially blasting.

Assuring the quarry management of continued support from the government in its pursuit of responsible and sustainable mining practices, Dan-Musa said government would closely monitor the quarry's progress and take necessary actions to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

In the team was Head of Environmental Impact Assessment, Mrs. Nusirat AbdulRazaq; Planning Officer of the Agency, Mr. Musbaudeen Adedoyin and Senior Scientific Officer, Mr. Isiaq Jamiu, among others.