By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The Cross River State government has reaffirmed that concrete strategies are being put in place to regularize quarry operations with a view to boosting the activities in the state.
The Hon Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr Effiom-Ekaha Otu said that the frontal approach to shore up activities in that sector has become expedient because of the hitherto dwindling interest of investors.
Otu revealed the stance of Government at a tripartite meeting between his ministry and quarry operators and the landlord communities in his office.
The Commissioner pointed out that the meeting was also aimed at cementing the relationship between the three major stakeholders by identifying and removing any existing impediments and anticipated ones capable of hindering the smooth operations of the profit oriented business.
He told the visitors that the State Governor’s utmost desire is to provide the best business climate in the state and in effect shift the paradigm from a lackluster approach to an unprecedented vibrant economic environment.
According to him, the hitherto dull climate had caused about 30 companies to relocate from the state leaving about 10 currently operating across the state.
The Commissioner stated that by the core mandate of his office, resounding success is his target and that the plea for collaborative efforts of the major stakeholders was paramount in the ministry’s agenda.
According to him, “the maiden interface which was at his instance was one of the strategic ways of creating a conducive atmosphere for quarry business to thrive in the state and promised it’s sustainance”.
Appreciating the complaints tabled by both the investors and landlord communities which included multiple taxation, environmental degradation , underemployment of youths from host communities and security of staff as well as failure to adhere to community development agreements, the Commissioner assured that the issues would be aggregated and addressed accordingly.
Otu, however regretted that some of the complaints bordering on the deplorable state of some Federal roads are beyond the scope of the state government,but that the State overnor, Sen.Prince Bassey Edet Otu was already persuading the federal government to display it’s sense of magnanimity in the rehabilitation of roads in the state.
The tripartite meeting which was very interactive was attended by landlord communities including Iwuru,Oban,Obung, Awi,Mfamosing, Njagachang, Old Netim,Nsan, Akamkpa Town , Uyangha, and quarry operators in Akamkpa.
