The Nasarawa State government reiterated on Wednesday the strict enforcement of the legislation governing mining activities within the state.
Intending miners are urged to submit their mining documentation for thorough verification and official record-keeping.
Kwanta Yakubu, the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, made this statement during a press briefing in response to allegations made against the government by a mining entity.
The Commissioner affirmed that Executive Order No. 02 of 2022, signed by the state governor, Abdullahi Sule, on April 19, 2024, remains in full force in Nasarawa.
According to the commissioner the attention of the Nasarawa State Government was brought to a press conference held last Friday in Jos by Mr. Tim Eldon of Trimadix Geomin Consult Limited, accusing the state government of unwarranted interference in their mining activities in Kokona Local Government, especially in Amba Community.
“I am pleased to address this press conference to clarify the accusations made by a mining entity against the Nasarawa State Government. It is worth noting that on April 19, 2024, precisely two months ago, the Nasarawa State Government took decisive action to protect the Amba Community from illegal miners posing a threat to the community’s peace and security.
“This involved a joint operation by security agencies in the State to shut down and secure the mining site in Amba Community of Kokona Local Government, which I personally addressed in a press statement at the location.”
Kwanta explained that the government’s closure of the illegal mining site in Amba Community was in response to a petition from the community chief regarding unauthorized mining activities in the area without proper consent.
“In Nasarawa State, the Executive Order No. 02 of 2022, enacted by His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, mandates that all Community Consent and Development Agreements under Section 116 of the Mineral and Mining Act, 2007, must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice via the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources for review and approval by the Attorney General of Nasarawa State before being signed by authenticated Community Heads.
“The steps taken by the state government aim to prevent the issuance of multiple community Consents and Development Agreements to mining entities and ensure that the community development commitments therein align with the State’s overall development plan.
“The Executive Order also stipulates that mining entities authorized by the Federal Government to operate in the State must undergo scrutiny by the relevant ministries responsible for environment and mining, as well as other security agencies in the State, to verify their legal status, citizenship, and background before commencing operations.
“Numerous educational campaigns and awareness initiatives have been conducted to inform stakeholders in the mining sector about the regulatory provisions outlined in the Executive Order No. 02 of 2022 to enhance security and environmental protection in mining communities.
“Under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule, the Nasarawa State government is dedicated to upholding the Executive Order to ensure the safety of the State and protect communities from exploitation by mining entities.
“The self-proclaimed mining entity asserting authorization to conduct mining operations in Amba Community is unrecognized by the Nasarawa State Government in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order No. 02 of 2022. The mining site will remain closed and secure until reputable investors, endorsed by the community and the State, are licensed to operate in the area, as stated by the Commissioner.
The Nasarawa State Government will continue to monitor developments at the mining site and any other locations where similar incidents occur that jeopardize peace in the State, taking firm action against any violators, as declared by Kwanta.
“I wish to emphasize that the Nasarawa State Government acknowledges the necessity of safeguarding communities with mineral resources from infiltration by unidentified entities, individuals, undocumented aliens, often associated with mischief and criminal activities. Such infiltrators may provoke tensions, disputes, unrest, and conflicts between communities and individuals, leading to lawlessness.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the various security agencies in the State for their invaluable collaboration with the State Government in enforcing the Executive Order for the peace and stability of Nasarawa State,” the Commissioner concluded.
