By Martha Agas
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring compliance with environmental standards by monitoring the operations of mining companies.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, stated this when he received the Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu in his office on Friday in Abuja.
Alake said that the move was aimed at sanitising the sector and repositioning it to boost the economic profile of the country.
He disclosed that the Federal Government and Enugu had agreed to set up the state’s Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), to monitor mining companies’ compliance with environmental standards.
He said that the move would enhance the development of the mining sector in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MIREMCO is charged with overseeing the regulations of mining operations in a state.
This includes ensuring environmental standards to address land degradation, where minerals are extracted, and the sustainable and orderly development and management of mining resources.
The minister underscored the state’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s economy during the colonial era, and highlighted its potential for renewed economic growth through the development of solid minerals.
“Now that we have our own independence of thought and action, Enugu is the way to go.
“We are collaborating with Enugu and other states to ensure that the benefits accruable from the solid minerals sector are available to all Nigerians,” he said.
On his part, the governor said that his administration was committed to harnessing Enugu’s vast mineral resources in partnership with the Federal Government.
Mbah thanked the minister for his accelerated actions to set up MIREMCO, which was critical to addressing the menace of illegal mining.
“The minute the minister received my application on setting up MIREMCO, he immediately called the relevant officer and mandated him to ensure the process for the establishment of the committee is fast-tracked.
” We believe that with the setting up of MIREMCO in Enugu, we will be able to curb the activities of illegal miners and those racketeering licenses,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the minister recently held an interface with 32 governors to form a joint committee aimed at resolving mining issues, sanitising the sector, and attracting investors.
The move was part of the ministry’s efforts to seek the support of sub-national entities and engage them in ongoing efforts to reposition the sector.
Mbah’s visit was in furtherance of these engagements, aimed at creating a conducive environment for mining operations in the country to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.(NAN(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Gabriel Yough
