Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has suspended all mining activities in the state until further notice.
Gov Alia gave the suspension order on Thursday in Makurdi during a meeting with members of Miners Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter.
He said the suspension was to enable the government to collate data of all miners.
He also directed the Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee to immediately begin the collation of data of all miners in the state.
According to the governor, the decision to conduct the revalidation exercise became necessary following reports of security threats, contamination of the few available water sources for residents in the affected areas especially in Kwande where mining sites were chartered by irregularities and unethical activities.
He said until the verification exercise was concluded, all mining activities be placed on hold pending the outcome of the verification.
Alia frowned at the activities of illegal miners, adding that majority of those mining in parts of the state are without licences.
He further condemned the violence associated with mining activities in Kwande Local Government area , leading to some deaths and directed leadership of the association to ensure sanity in the sector.
He enjoined the security apparatus and the joint Taskforce on illegal mining to ensure that the right thing was done to enhance the well-being of the people and increase the Internally Generated Revenue.
He said that the State Government would not tolerate any illegality as it was his administration’s responsibility to protect lives and property of the people.
On his part, the state Attorney – General and Commissioner of Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim said Gov Alia was not against mining but illegal Mining activities.
Mnyim who is also the chairman, Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee disclosed that the state have formulated a checklist which would be used to scrutinize the mining sector in Benue.
In his remarks, Chairman, Nigeria Miners Association, Benue State chapter, John Tersugh promised to cooperate with the governor to sanitize the mining sector.
The Mining officer in the Federal Ministry of mining and Solid Minerals, Mr Simon Ogwu promised to support the state government to sanitize the mining sector in the State.
Ogwu also applauded the work of Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee in tackling illegality in the mining.
Two miners, Benjamin Nyior and Dennis Tarhemba called for a conducive working environment to enable them carry out their activities effectively.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
