Gov. Alia berates illegal miners, inaugurate 30 mining marshall in Benue

From Attah Ede Makurdi

The Benue state governor, Governor Hyacinth Alia has berated the activities of illegal miners in the State.

Alia, in a bid to rid Benue out of illegal mining activities, has inaugurated a 30 Mining Marshals for the State.

He charged the Mining Marshal officers to ensure adequate protection of the state critical assets.

Governor Alia noted further that the marshals have the responsibility to curb illegal mining in the State.

He said they are to carry out this function in conjunction with the Mineral Resources Environmental Committee, MIRECOM to promote the interest of the state as it affects illegal Mining and protection of mining sites.

Governor Alia who was represented by his deputy Dr. Sam Ode, reiterated that the ban on all illegal mining activities is still in force pending the collection of mining data in the State and charged them to secure the State assets in the area of solid minerals.

“The Marshals must be ready to curtail the activities of illegal miners so that the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR of the state can be boosted.

“This administration will not tolerate any form of insecurity as it is ‘my duty to protect lives and property of Benue people’.

“You are to Combat crime and criminal as it pertain our mining sites. Our administration is poised to harness the abundant natural resources of the State. I appeal for more synergy and partnership to enhance development and growth of our State”, the Governor said.

Earlier in a remark, the Chairman MIRECOM, Fidelis Mnyim said the Mining Marshals is initiated by Federal Government to help State curb the insecurity in the mining site as a way of improving the mining industry of the country.

He also, said the essence of the mining Marshal is to put a stop to illegal mining in the State, adding it is to sift the chaff from the grain.

Mnyim who is also, the Commissioner for Justice and Public Order maintained that this is done pending when there will be revalidation of mining licences in the State.

“You can not divorce illegal mining with insecurity. It also, give room to social vices as these sites are used for illicit sale of drugs. The environmental degradation has caused the death of many Benue sons who have died in the mining pits. Benue is the first to launch to mining marshals. Miners do not pay royalty denying the State of the 13 percent derivatives”, Barr. Mnyim fumed.

Benue State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), Yakubu Ibrahim, noted that there are 1,975 illegal mining sites across the country, averring that illegal mining activities constitute danger to the ecosystem as a result of release of minerals into the environment.

“The task of the Marshal is to arrest and prosecute illegal miners while protecting legal miners. To enhance revenue generation and protection of the environment. Protect mining sites located in difficult terrain in the State. We call on the State government to provide the needed logistics for this assignment. We are partners in progress and will ensure that the desired goal of this project is achieved” he stated.