Residents of Diiso 2, Ramey, Shahio and Libahley are up in arms against companies mining gypsum in the area.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, they said their efforts to have the companies suspend their activities in the area due to several concerns raised have not bore fruit.
Among the issue they raised include environmental degradation that causes hazardous dust from the mining sites that has left several people with chest complications.
Others include the quarries that have posed a danger to both humans and their livestock.
Locals who took the media through a tour of the mining sites were met with tracks loads of gypsum heading to and living the mining sites.
Omar Hassan, a resident of Ramey, said that last month two children aged five and three drowned in the nearby mine that was filled with water during the recent rains.
“We recently lost our young through these very same mining sites, this is despite reporting to the relevant authorities no action has been taken,” he said.
He added:
“Our demands are that they first suspend the mining and fill up all open quarries. This has not been done. If the activities of the companies go on an abated, more lives could be lost."
He said most villagers have been admitted to hospitals with chest pain complications, something he attributed to the dust.
The most affected, he said, are children.
On his part, Sahal Dagane, a resident of Shahio, accused the mining companies of not engaging in cooperate Social responsibilities[CSR] like is supposed to.
Dagane said that their efforts to have the issue addressed through their leader have not been successful wondering how long they will continue suffering.
“We are appealing to our leaders both opinion and elected to take this matter seriously. They are our voices, and we know if they can take up the matter something will be done."
On her part, Maryan Issack, a resident of Diiso 2, alleged that some of the companies could be operating illegally saying that they have gone ahead to recruit goons to threaten anyone who speaks out on the issues concerning the mining companies.
“If somebody is properly licensed why is it difficult to talk to the community and listen to their concerns instead of using goons to gauge them? That is why we suspect that some of them are operating illegally. We are urging the national government and the relevant authorities to investigate these companies,” he said.
Mahow Kosar, a resident of Diiso, said that he has so far lost 10 goats in the last two months and wondered who will compensate him for the loss he has so far incurred calling.
“It is very painful to continue losing my treasured livestock to accidents that could have been easily avoided. Impunity must not be left to thrive. Just because some individuals have money. This matter should be quickly addressed before it is too late,” he said.
Speaking separately, Iftin Ward MCA Mustapha Abdirashid while acknowledging that there were issues was quick to add that they were engaging the mining companies in order to correct the situation.
“We have received these complaints from affected residents and as leaders, we are engaging them to see to it that they fill the holes to avoid further accidents,” he said.
A senior County security official who spoke on conditions of anonymity acknowledged there were issues that have been coming out of the mining activities.
He said that a meeting that brings together all stakeholders has been lined up soon with the main agenda of ironing out the issues.
“Yes we are aware of the issues that have come up, going forward we must address the issues raised. A meeting will soon be convened and will bring together all stakeholders including the security, locals, minors, officials from the Ministry of Mining as as well as local leaders.
He said that the county security team will not allow the issue to degenerate into a security threat saying that everything will be done to correct the situation even if it means suspending the activities.