In Nigeria, the quarrying industry thrives as a lucrative venture, but the hidden price is staggering. Indigenous communities bear the brunt of health hazards as major companies relentlessly flout environmental laws, shrouding neighborhoods in perilous dust and fumes.
Whether large-scale or small, stone quarrying leaves a lasting scar. Toxic gases, both silent and sinister, waft from the aftermath of explosions, while harmful particles hang heavy in the air, a reminder of the ceaseless excavation.
Preliminary investigation unearthed a startling truth—prominent construction firms shatter permitting laws, subjecting neighboring residents to unannounced quarry explosions. This flagrant violation of national regulations, including the 2013 National Environmental Regulations Policy and the 2007 Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, is the root of a grave public health crisis.
Communities have paid the price, grappling with relentless respiratory ailments—a chorus of coughs, chest tightness, and breathlessness. This exposé seeks to unveil the hidden battlegrounds of air pollution spawned by quarries, laying bare the extent of this public health menace.
Our mission: To traverse Nigeria’s expanse, charting the quarrying hotspots. Armed with the Temtop M2000 outdoor air monitor, we will unmask the true culprits, testing for CO2, PM2.5, PM10, and HCHO in 20 sites across the nation, from the North to the South.
Prepare to journey with us into the heart of a silent crisis—a tale of environmental injustice, resilience, and the quest for clean air.
By Samad Uthman Grantee and Samuel Ajalah Grantee
