Governor Bassey Otu
By Anietie Akpan
Disturbed by the un-wholesome practices of artisannal and industrial miners, the Cross River state government has shut down all mining sites, quarries and wood logging in the state.
This directive as contained in a statement dated June 20, 2024 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, said they are to cease operations immediately.
He said, the “Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, in exercise of Inherent powers vested in him under the Constitution of the Federdal Repuplic of Nigeria, and in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Solid Mineral Development, has directed the withdrawal of all miners from their sites and quarries within the State immediately.
“The Governor has further directed the State Office of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Cross River State Ministry of Mineral Resources to undertake inspection of all mining locations and quarries in the State, to determine full compliance with extant Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) standards by miners and quarries”.
The statement said, “only sites and facilities certified by the joint team of Federal and State officials shall be allowed to reopen and continue mining activities.
“Affected players in the Mining Sector are therefore to report to the Ministry of Mineral Resources for further guidance”.
Recall that the state government recently drew the red line as it raised concerns about the activities of illegal miners in the state and threatened to prosecute defaulters.
Similar directive by the state government and endorsed by the Secretary to the State Government dated June 20, 2024 said, “despite the forbearance by Government on the activities of timber loggers in the State, Government notes the persisting refusal and or neglect to keep to the terms stipulated by Government for the felling of trees in the State”.
In view of this, the statement said the Governor, “has suspended further logging activities in the State. Security agencies are to arrest offenders and confiscate any logs and machinery deployed thereto.
“Players in the timber logging trade are to contact the State Forestry Commission for further guidance”.