The Bauchi State Government has embarked on sensitising stakeholders in local government areas of the state on the negative impacts of illegal mining.
The state Commissioner of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Mohammed Maiwada Bello, addressed stakeholders in Ningi and said the Government has put in place the necessary structures to streamline the process of formalizing illegal local Miners and also assist in engaging them in Small and Medium Enterprises through registration as cooperative societies.
Bello stated that the State Government introduced acquiring Clearance Letters at his Ministry’s Headquarters to enable the State Government to know who is investing in its domain for the purpose of security, their location, and their level of compliance to lay down instructions guiding mining operations, ensure adherence to environmental protection laws, and ensure that the Community Development Agreement (CDA) followed.
During the sensitization, the Commissioner encouraged the Representatives of various mining Operators in Ningi Local Government to ensure the payment of royalties and other revenues for development and maintaining peace and harmony in the State.
He said the Government would not take it lightly if mining operators were found ignoring their corporate responsibilities.
On his part, the Bauchi State Chairman of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Protection Committee (MIREMCO), Alhaji Bello Inuwa Galoji, emphasized the need to protect the environment from degradation by mining companies’ activities in the State.
Bello, while encouraging tree plantation, presented tree seeds to participants and urged them to ensure they spread it in their various areas.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Ningi Local Government, Hon. Nasiru Zakari, commended the ministry for educating the mining stakeholders. He urged them to utilize what was impacted during the sensitization exercise and comply with the rules and regulations governing the mining activities. He also promised to ensure that landowners and traditional Leaders in his Area abide by all government policies.
Also, the village Head of Kyata Mal. Sa’ad Jibrin thanked all who have had a hand in educating them on behalf of Traditional Leaders and called for the sustenance of such meetings periodically
Ningi Local Government Officials, including Council Members, Traditional Leaders, Community Development Associations Members, mining Operators, and the Mining Association of Nigeria were among other Stakeholders, participated in the presentation of issues concerning Community Engagement and participation, Formalization of informal Miners, Issues of Revenue, Importance of synergy between State Government, Miners and community, Consent letter Clearance policy, CDA were discussed.