The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has urged the National Assembly to review the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 as well as the existing Land Use Act of 1978.
Governor Otu said the review would enable state governments to effectively manage the mineral resources within their domain.
He made the request when he played host to the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals led by the Chairman, Jonathan Gbefwi, who represents Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency in Nasarawa State.
The Governor noted that “the provisions of the existing laws as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, grant the Nigerian government exclusive control over natural resources.”
According to him, “the 10th Assembly needs to include the Mining Act and Land Use Law on the list of laws for review to enable States like Cross River generate revenue from exploration and exploitation.”
Governor Otu said; “without any fear of equivocation, Cross River State is one of the solid mineral hubs in Nigeria,” stressing that commercial quantities of limestone, granite, gold, uranium, barite, iron ore, kaolin, manganese and other minerals abound.
He stated that the exploration of the available solid minerals would positively enhance the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Cross River if such were on the residual list.
“For now, this is a dream that is yet to come true. Herein lies the albatross of solid minerals development in States, including Cross River State,” the Governor said
Environmental Impact
Governor Otu also talked about the impact of mining operations on the environment and the local population.
He said; “while the Nigerian Government draws huge revenue from these solid minerals, the local communities are constantly blighted by air and water pollution.
”So the House of Representatives should include the amendment of the relevant Acts in regard to land administration in the ongoing constitutional amendments.
”The amendments, when enacted, will improve the livelihoods of citizens, reduce illegal mining and ultimately lead to a rise in the state’s Gross Domestic Product.”
The Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gbefwi said that the visit to Cross River State was to investigate the compliance level of mining companies in line with the provisions of the Minerals and Mines Act 2007 and the Explosive Act as well as participate in an ‘Expo’ on solid minerals.
Gbefwi, who condemned devastating effects of illegal mining on host communities, said, “we must take a critical look at how our people are actually getting their share of the minerals being exploited.”
The lawmaker sued for improved governance and adherence to laws designed to benefit the local population, stressing that remediation and reclamation were essential for the transformation of mining sites into tourist attractions.
Gbefwi sued for the formalisation of the consent process for mining activities and clear cut provisions in the agreement between mining companies and the local communities to benefit the people and promote sustainable development in the state.
Hauwa Abu