Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has taken decisive action to suspend mining activities in the state, citing the need for comprehensive data collection on miners. The announcement came during the inauguration of the initial 60 Mining Marshalls tasked with combating illegal mining of solid minerals across the region.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, emphasized the importance of suspending mining operations until the Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee could complete the collation of miner data. He stressed that this verification exercise was essential to ensure transparency and legality within the mining sector.
Governor Alia underscored his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, asserting that tolerating any form of illegality was not an option. He called upon the security apparatus, including the joint Taskforce on illegal mining and MIREMCO, to uphold the law and enhance revenue generation for the state.
Furthermore, the governor charged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to intensify efforts in combating crimes related to the exploitation of Benue’s rich mineral resources. He urged them to contribute towards the overall development of both the state and the nation.
Highlighting the challenges faced in developing Benue State amidst limited resources, Governor Alia emphasized the need for visionary leadership and effective resource management. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging the state’s abundant talents and untapped natural resources to transform the lives of its citizens.
In conclusion, Governor Alia reiterated his dedication to the seven-point agenda of his administration, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development and the prudent use of resources in achieving Benue State’s transformation.
