Governor Sule issues Executive Order to protect mining host communities

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has issued an Executive Order No. 02, 2022 to protect mining host communities in the state.

Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Yakubu Kwanta, stated this at a press conference held in Lafia, the state capital.

He said that the order was to ensure that mining companies operating in the state adhere to the terms and agreements of their license.

Mr. Kwanta explained that the signing of Executive Order No. 02, 2022 was aimed at protecting mining host communities from insecurity and other forms of criminality.

He added that the order is also to provide institutional and technical support to artisanal miners in various communities of the state.

The Commissioner said that in compliance with the order, all mining companies along with the host communities are to submit two copies of all previously signed community agreements on or before 30th January 2023 to the Ministry for vetting and certification.

He said mining entities arriving in the state with the authority of the Federal Government to carry out mining must report to the ministry to verify their legal status, citizenship and background before settlement in the communities.

“All mining entities arriving and doing business in the State must report to the ministry for documentation and identification of their operational status for peace and security.

“All mining entities doing business in the state must ensure that they pay all mining and other related taxes, levies, fees, and charges promptly to the Central Billing System domiciled with the Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service,” he noted.

Mr. Kwanta added that all mining host communities are “hereby restricted from bequeathing Rights of Occupancy of lands to entities intending to carry out mining activities.”

He said that all holders of Mining Licenses are restricted to the powers conferred on them by the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and the Land Use Act, 1978.

The Commissioner said that the ministry would ensure restoration and reparation of the integrity of the degraded land and environment as required by the law.

He also said that the ministry was collaborating with security agencies to ensure the enforcement of the order and arrest and prosecute defaulters.