The Enugu State Chapter of Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) has called for collaboration between the Committee and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in the fight against illegal mining in the state.
According to the State Chairman, Engr. Samuel Onyinye Okoro, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Solid Minerals and Mining stated this when he led his team on a courtesy visit to the Enugu Zonal Director of the EFCC, DCE Mohammed Shuaib Bello in his office.
On Friday, August 9, 2024, Okoro acknowledged the strategic roles of the Commission in the fight against economic sabotage in the country and stressed that his Committee had a mandate to manage mineral resources of Enugu State with the necessary support of the EFCC.
“The essence of this Committee is to manage our mineral resources and the input of the State and local governments are all needed to make it work. So we bridge this gap and if you look at these abled men here, they are from different ministries that have to do with mining in the state.
“We have a lot of problems in Enugu, ranging from illegal mining and the rest and we know very well the roles EFCC plays in fighting economic sabotage. So we are here to introduce ourselves, identify what we do and plead with the Commission to give us the necessary support in order to succeed”.
While receiving his guests, the Zonal Director commended Okoro for the visit, adding that collaboration between the Committee and the Commission was necessary for the State. Bello frowned at the upsurge of miners without appropriate licences in the State and thereafter enjoined the Committee to share intelligence with the EFCC “so that we can set an example and stop this nonsense”.
“Illegal mining is one of the major economic crimes bedeviling the State. Collaboration is very necessary between us. We appreciate it and we want that. We will give you all the necessary cooperation”.
During an interactive session, Assistant Commander of the EFCC and Head of Proceed of Crimes of the Directorate, ACE I Hamza Abdullahi, called for synergy in sensitising the public on the types of mineral resources in the state and those allowed to mine a particular type of mineral in a particular location. According to him, miners usually make the mistake of acquiring a particular licence to mine in a state and using the same license to mine in another state.
“There are different categories of licence for you to mine. There are people that have a licence just to buy and sell. We really need to collaborate and sensitize each other, engage in public enlightenment from time to time so that we can know who and who are supposed to mine what type of mineral resources in a particular area, because your licence might be reading Ogun State and you are in Enugu mining. We really need awareness so that we can safeguards our environment,” he said.
In his response, Okoro assured that MIREMCO provide the Commission with all the necessary information needed for enhanced collaboration between both agencies.
