The federal government has compelled Istanbul Quarry operating in Duste Bmuko community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory to change the direction of its rock blasting to ensure school safety in the environment.

Kehinde Bamigbetan, spokesperson for minister of mines and steels, Dele Alake, said the ministry took a couple of steps to prevent recurrence of November 25 incident after People’s Gazette report exposed three schools operating in the shadows of quarries in the community.

Asked what the ministry had done since The Gazette’s exposé on schoolchildren’s safety and academic growth threatened by quarry operations in Duste Bmuko, Mr Bamigbetan said, “The ministry actually intervened in the matter. After the quarry was shut down for some days, we ensured the quarry owners compensated the villagers and everyone affected. We also ensured that quarry owners took responsibility for the treatment of the affected students.”

To prevent reccurence of the incident, Mr Bamigbetan said the ministry of solid minerals also compelled quarries in the community to change the direction of their blast so that the impact of blasts would not affect schools in the environment.

“We also ensure that the quarry owners change the direction of their blasting so that it does not affect the schools again. These are the steps taking,” Mr Bamigbetan said.

Mr Bamigbetan noted that the ministry would soon issue a statement detailing its effort to ensure safety of schools and schoolchildren in Dutse Bmuko, faulting authorities for approving schools close to quarries.

“It is about who gave approval to the schools because the quarries were there for a long time. The authorities were supposed to ensure that they do not stand close to quarries. When people want to set up schools around mining site, the authorities are supposed to be mindful of the kind of approval they issue. In most cases, these schools start operation before getting approval,” Mr Bamigbetan said.

A resident of Dutse Bmuko, Olalana James, told The Gazette on Wednesday, “For about a month now there is improvement to be honest regarding blast from the quarry.”

He added, “We have not heard that kind of dangerous blast in recent days. There is also increased dust as a result of quarries grinding rocks. It looks hazy here not natural haze but as a result of the dust from the quarries as they grind stones.”

Following a deadly blast that saw a huge flyrock hit Graceland Schools, The Gazette in a special report detailed the impact of quarry operations in Duste Bmuko.

The Gazette report exclusively  highlighted the dangers to school sited close to quarries, its impact on learning and development of children and their safety.