…Sets up committee to collate data on miners
It made the announcement during the launch of 60 Mining Marshalls appointed with the mandate to arrest all forms of illegal mining of solid minerals in the state.
The state deputy governor, Sam Ode, who represented the governor, Hyacinth Alia, at the event, said the suspension of mining activities would be in place until the the Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee complete the collation of data of the miners.
“Until the verification exercise was concluded, all mining activities would be placed on hold pending the outcome of the verification.
“I enjoin the security apparatus, the joint Taskforce on illegal mining, MIREMCO to ensure that the right thing is done to enhance the well-being of the people and increase the Internally Generated Revenue,” he said.
Ode also tasked the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, on tackling crimes and criminalities on the state’s rich mineral resources, saying: “Your efforts henceforth should be to ensure modest contributions towards the actualisation of a better Benue that works not only for the people of the State but for the overall development of our country,
Nigeria.”
He added: “As you are aware, the challenges of development and transforming a State like Benue are daunting, especially at this time when resources available to constituted authorities for development purposes are dwindling amidst the ever-growing dependence and demand for these scarce resources.
“What is required at a time such as this is a resourceful and visionary leadership committed to leveraging abundant talents coupled with managing the limited resources to reposition and transform the lives and livelihoods of the people. It is the hallmark of my administration’s blueprint and underpins our seven-point agenda.
“Without disrupting the existing structures, I am genuinely committed to the transformation of Benue State, harnessing the abundance of untapped natural resources.”
