Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has made a shocking allegation that some government and security officials are aiding and abetting illegal mining activities in the state. He made this statement during a meeting with artisanal and small-scale miners in Jalingo, the state capital. The governor vowed to dismantle the network behind these activities and strengthen regulations in the mining sector to ensure that the state's mineral resources are not exploited illegally.
According to Governor Kefas, the problem of illegal mining goes beyond miners operating without licenses. He alleged that some individuals within the government and security structures have become part of the network sustaining illegal mining. The governor emphasized that his administration would work to understand the structure behind these operations and disrupt it through better coordination among security agencies, mining regulators, and mining communities.
The governor announced plans to establish a system that would enable genuine miners to operate legally while making it easier for authorities to identify and deal with those exploiting the state's mineral resources illegally. He said registered miners would operate in designated areas, and mineral off-takers would be encouraged to buy from regulated locations to improve traceability and government oversight. This arrangement would also provide security agencies with better information about mining activities.
Governor Kefas directed the miners' association to submit a comprehensive list of equipment required by its members, including estimated costs. The government plans to explore financing support to acquire and deploy this equipment to designated mining sites. He also ordered the compilation of accurate data on miners, their communities, villages, locations, and operations, citing the need for reliable information for effective regulation and protection of legitimate miners.
The governor's administration is working to replace unsafe mining and processing methods with safer technologies, particularly the use of mercury in gold processing. He stated that the economic value of the state's mineral resources could not justify practices that expose miners and host communities to hazardous substances. The government will work with mining stakeholders to establish practical environmental and health standards.
The proposed reforms will require cooperation among the state government, federal mining authorities, security agencies, financial institutions, miners' associations, and host communities. Governor Kefas directed stakeholders to commence work on the modalities for the new framework, emphasizing that the reforms must protect legitimate livelihoods while ensuring that Taraba's mineral resources are properly regulated and contribute to the state's development.
The Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners Association chairman, Emmanuel George, requested that the governor reconsider restrictions on monazite mining, which he claimed had pushed many miners into illegal operations. George stated that over 500,000 young men and women were engaged in artisanal mining across the state, and the restrictions had led to over 300,000 members of the association engaging in illegal mining.
Key points
- Governor Agbu Kefas alleges government and security officials are facilitating illegal mining in Taraba State.
- The governor plans to establish a system for genuine miners to operate legally and make it easier to identify and deal with illegal miners.
- The proposed reforms aim to protect legitimate livelihoods and ensure that Taraba's mineral resources contribute to the state's development.
