From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Coal Miners Legacy Project has called on the Nigerian and the British governments to recognise and compensate families of the 21 coal miners who were killed by the then colonial authorities in Enugu.
The incident occurred on November 18, 1949, when 21 coal miners who were agitating for better working conditions and improved welfare packages were shot dead at Iva Valley mine by colonial authorities.
The convener of the group, Ajuluchukwu Edechiene, speaking during the 75th anniversary of the incident which was held at the National Museum of Unity, Enugu, said he was hopeful that the occasion will drive deeper conversation on the incident.
He commended the Enugu State Government for identifying with the project, noting that it was the first time the event was having a government presence since 2015 when the group started marking the event.
“Since 2015 when I began this project, this is the first time the Enugu State Government is getting involved. They placed the statue of these late miners at the popular New Market area of the state,” Edechiene stated.
“We know that coal mining is happening again in Enugu and we believe that the 75th anniversary will drive deeper conservation of coal mining in the state,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Curator, National Museum of Unity, Enugu, Aloysius Duru, emphasised the importance of celebrating the 21 coal miners who he said laid down their lives for others, stressing that the nation seemed to be quiet about the event.
“This is why we want to make a memorial of it. Today, we want to remember November 18th. We called on people to celebrate and remind them about these miners.
“We want their families not to keep quiet but to speak out and request for compensation as the act is condemnable,” Duru said.
A representative of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS-Nigeria), Dr Ijeoma Onyejekwe, noted that there was a need to remember the slain miners. She urged the British government to urgently pay compensation to families of the miners.
The Director, Centre for Memories, Enugu, Iheanyi Igboko, urged the government to protect the rights of workers and prioritise their welfare for increased productivity.
“What we are celebrating today is resilience to fight against injustice. What led to the death of those coal miners still persist, that is, worker’s welfare.
“Today, the rights and welfare of workers is abysmally poor. As we commemorate this event, we raise our voice to make the same demand. We remind the leaders to think about the people and protect their rights by ensuring a true and equitable society,” he said.