Ajegena Manga, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Government says it has closed a mining site in Amba community of Kokona Local Government Area (LGA) for illegal operation.
Mr Yakubu Kwanta, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Lafia the state capital.
He explained that the illegal company was discovered by the personnel of his Ministry during their routine inspections of mining sites in the state.
“Our personnel discovered that Trimadix Geomin Consult Limited was operating without the consent of community and the state government in Amba community of Kokona LGA.
“We took a bold step and closedown the site on April 19, 2024 to secure the community following series of complaint the tension in the area,” he added.
Kwanta added that the illegal company was closedown by a joint team of security agencies and currently the security had taken over the site on the directive of the state government.
“The community also wrote a petition about the illegal mining activities in their area without proper consent and we needed to take action to avoid breakdown of law and order,” he added.
The commissioner noted that Gov. Abdullahi Sule had issued Executive Order No 02 of 2022 that communities consent must be forwarded to the state government before any company begin mining in any part of the state.
“All community consent and Development Agreement made pursuant to Section 116 of the Mineral and Mining Act, 2007 and prior to signing by authenticated Community Heads shall be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice.
“The said documents will be forwarded through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to be vetted and certified by the Attorney
General of Nasarawa State,” he added.
He further explained that the Executive Order aimed to avoid multiple issuances of community consents and development agreements to mining entities and ensure that community development commitments made therein is not in conflict with the overall development
master plan of the state.
He added said that the Executive Order provided that all mining entities arriving the state with authority of the Federal Government must undergo checks by the ministry responsible for environment and mining to verify their legal status, citizenship and background before settlement.
Kwanta therefore, called on the general public to disregard insinuations in all quarters, adding that, the decision was just to ensure peace and adherence to the existing laws guiding mining activities.