At the opening of a two-day consultative forum with critical stakeholders on emerging reforms in the Nigerian mining sector, the paramount ruler known as the Gbong Gwom Jos, Dah Jacob Gyang Buba, gave some warning on the illegal activities going on in the Plateau mining sector.
Traditional rulers are charged with protecting the land, however in Plateau State, Buba has noted with dismay the irrational manner traditional rulers sign approval without due diligence for lands which most often are used for illegal mining activities. He expressed his displeasure at the village heads and district heads for signing documents without examining the implications that come with signing these documents. He also advised them to work hand in hand with the government to promote their best interest.
He described the Plateau land as a grade-one commodity for any positive development to be preserved and that the level of insecurity and health related issues could be attributed to the illegal activities of miners in the state. He warned traditional rulers to discourage the carrying out of mining activities within the areas of residence to avoid the unavoidable loss of human lives. The Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, declared the ceremony open and displayed the precious minerals the state is endowed with, regretfully stating that 500 million naira is a paltry amount and is the yearly proceed of mining activities in the state, a situation he stated will no longer be condoned.
He charged all the traditional rulers with the responsibility of using their power to halt illegal activities going on in the state and also begged security operatives not to give in to the temptation of illegal mining in the state. He also emphasized the need for resource control by the states where the resources are enshrined in the constitution. The current status of revenue generation in the mining sector in the state was explored with a focus on federal and state strategies and also trying to identify opportunities for improvement to ensure development which was the aim of the two-day consultative forum.
