Kogi govt. stiffens crack down on illegal mining, place ban of consent letters without approval »

…warns Local Government Chairmen, traditional ruler agaisnt entering community development agreements with organisations

The Kogi state government has decided to stiffen it’s crack down on illegal mining in any part of the state as it placed a ban on the issuance of consent letters to miners without approval, while pronouncing the revocation of all existing land consents. The govt. also hinted that community development agreements would be reviewed to ensure that they guaranteed maximum benefits for the people in the community.

Making the pronouncement on Wednesday during a meeting with traditional rulers and other stakeholders from across the state, governor Bello similarly bared Local Government Chairmen and traditional rulers from entering into community development agreements.

Governor Bello said the state was taking the steps to explore legislative means to ensure that the citizen remained the ultimate benefitiaries of their God given resources adding that such law would be within the residual legislative list of the constitution.

The governor said ‘’We all know that as a government, the most important function we owe the citizenry is that of security, safety and their welfare and we would not have succeeded thus far, without your input and contribution’’

He urged traditional rulers to take control of every inch of the land within their territory and have proper documentation of everyone in their land as part of their efforts towards curbing the crimes of illegal mining in parts of the state. He Urged them to also collaborate with proper government offices in the discharge of any land related activities.

According to him, he said there are several illegal mining activities that are taking place in their domain, as illegal entities are mining different Mineral resources including gold, coal, lithium which if channelled properly, will make the state government financially independent .

‘’Some of these illegal miners are cooperate entities, who even patronise illegal miners, thereby encouraging them to continue such illegal venture’’

He said that after mining, the place became a haven for criminals. Some activities are not of benefit to society. Some criminals hid under the guise of miners, ending up arming young children and initiating them into several criminal activities.

Governor Bello reminded their royal majesties that land is one of the greatest factors of production ,therefore, safeguarding it is necessary. If caution is thrown to the wind, “you’ will become an alien in your land.” Some communities are already completely displaced.

He urged the incoming government to sign a new law that will be stiff on miners. “Before you take any mineral from Kogi, you must pay tax,” he said.

‘’We are aware recently that the Fg revoked the licences of some illegal miners. Here in Kogi state, we are not living in isolation , we can’t succeed without keying into Fg policies, programs and pronouncements. When FG made such pronouncement, we have domesticated all of these policies and pronouncements in our state, to key into FG’s plan’’ he pointed out.

In his welcome address, the Kogi State commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Hon. Abubakar Bashir Gegu, said the royal fathers hold the key to the success or failure of the economy and security administration of the state, because they operate at the grassroots of society and interact closely with the people. Therefore, they remain the frontline of stakeholders in the business of economic building and security coexistence in every community.

Traditional rulers are banned from issuance of consent letters to mining investors without clearance from the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources.

The decision was to address the effect of environmental degradation associated with illegal mining activities coupled with security challenges. He further said another issue of concern is the Community Development Agreement CDA . The law stipulated that before any company commences mining, it has to submit statutory environmental documents mandatory for operation such as: Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental processing, Rehabilitation programme, Community Development Agreement

Speaking earlier the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, assured that the traditional institution were solidly behind the state government’s drive towards ensuring that the people benefitted from their God given resources.

The State Security Adviser, Rt. Comm. Jerry Omodara in his opening remarks noted that the governor’s interface with the tradition was indeed timely noting the traditional institution play a key role in helping to tackle insecurity down to the grass root level.

He added that the issue of illegal mining has a very strong connection with insecurities, hence the meeting would serve as a platform to educate the traditional ruler on government’s resolution on consent letters and their strategic role in nipping illegal mining in the bud.