By: Our Reporter, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has vowed to clamp down on the unwholesome activities of illegal mining in the state.
Government reaffirmed its stance when the Commissioner for Mineral Resources Hon Effiom-Ekaha Otu in collaboration with the Chairman, Mineral Resources and Environmental Committee ( MIREMCO) extended it’s advocacy to the rural communities in the state with a view to increasing collaboration of the locals with the state government to forestall the menace.
Addressing traditional rulers, youths, women and opinion leaders in Obudu, Obanliku, Yala, Biase Obubra and others, the Commissioner said that the advocacy meeting was occasioned by the devastating menace of the activities of illegal mining in the state.
He emphasized that illegal mining was a criminal offence as it violated principles regarding mining laws as entrenched in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Hon.Otu stated further that in collaboration with the Federal Government , perpetrators would be fished out and prosecuted.
The Commissioner lamented the devastating effect on the economy of the state and the environment especially in the destruction of farm lands , and water bodies and the general upheaval created by the excavation, exposure of the populace to the possible emission of dangerous chemicals from such craters and burrows as well as the exploitation of youth in the activities, jeopardizing their health and other hazards.
The Commissioner recalled that recently, some youths in some communities were reported to have lost their lives while being exploited in excavation and burrowing in search of emeralds without compensation.
He informed that the State Government was vehemently against such practice which he said negates the principle of fairness and justice adding that the Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s administration wants to at all cost sanitize mining activities in the state.
Hon. Otu advised Traditional Rulers who are the custodians of the land under their jurisdiction to be weary of the negative effects of the illegal mining activities because at the long run it would cause irreparable hazard on the communities in the areas of youth exploitation and environmental hazards.
He stated that such fraudulent persons with the intention to exploit may approach the communities with all manner of pretence , cajoling them in supporting their evil intentions but urged traditional rulers, youths and opinion leaders to reject their offers and make quick reference to the Ministry of Mineral Resources for authentication of such projects.
The Commissioner pleaded with the youths, whom he regarded as the strength of the communities to reject their empty promises of such illegal miners whose major interest he said were selfish, greedy and unproductive to the communities.
He pointed out that on the contrary , legal mining activities would be of great benefit to both the State Government and the communities as legal processes would be strictly adhered to.
He questioned why energetic and informed youths should allow themselves to be used for dangerous expeditions such as excavation and burrowing without any legal framework for protection or compensation in the event of calamities.
In his remarks,Engr. Ibem Uduma of the Department of Mines and Environment Compliance in the Federal Ministry of solid Minerals advised host communities to ensure that lawful agreements between any mineral explorer be signed in the presence of key stakeholders including security agents and government officials and not to be surreptitiously done so as to avoid misrepresentations.
Engr Uduma also urged the community leaders to urgently report any mining activity in their areas to government for quick intervention.
Also commenting, the State Chairman of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Committee ( MIREMCO), Dr. Otu Archibong said that the sensitisation meeting was to further educate the communities on the need to have verifiable evidence of authorisation from government for any exploitation of minerals to be carried out in their domains .
According to him, there are statutory and necessary steps to be taken for any mining activities to be carried out such as environmental and social impact assessment, obtaining necessary licenses, developing reclamation and rehabilitation plans.
In their separate responses in all the Local Government Areas visited, the traditional rulers, youths, women and opinion leaders expressed happiness at the pragmatic approach of the state government towards normalizing the unhealthy trend of illegal mining in various communities across the state.
In elated manners, they expressed confidence in the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu which according to them was trying to cub illegalities in the state in the mining sector and other areas of the economy.
They pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the administration and prayed for the sustainability of the zeal exhibited to address the multifaceted challenges of the state.
They promised to effectively cooperate with the state government to checkmate illegal mining in their domains .
According to them the deceptive manner of approach by the miners embellished with lies would no longer fly.
They praised the Commissioner for the advocacy meeting which they said had exposed them to the statutory stance of government.
Youth leaders in the Local Government Areas visited agreed on the fact that their folks had become increasingly vulnerable to the persuasive abilities of the miners due to the economic predicament prevalent in the country.
While they agreed to sensitize their colleagues on the dangers of patronizing the illegal miners and their empty promises, the Government at all levels should be practical in providing job opportunities for them.
The youths regretted their involvement in the illegal activities by highly skilled person’s and graduates who find themselves doing the odd jobs full of unimaginable risks due to lack of jobs.
They pledged to create unfavourable environment for the illegal miners in their Local Government Areas and called for regular visits by the Commissioner.
