The Benue State Government has issued a stern warning to unauthorized miners within the state.
According to The PUNCH, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state, Fidelis Mnyim, also disclosed that the present administration has issued an executive order to have the list of legal miners reviewed with the aim of monitoring their activities.
Mnyim emphasized the state’s concerns regarding unlicensed miners and asserted that, while the Federal Government holds the authority to grant mining licenses, the host state also possesses the right to regulate these activities in accordance with established rules to prevent disorder.
The Commissioner highlighted that besides agriculture, which serves as the economic backbone of the state, mining represents another lucrative opportunity that, if managed effectively, could significantly contribute to the economic growth of both the state and the nation as a whole.
He said, “Mining is where the fortune of this state lies aside from agriculture, and we can not just fold our arms and allow the miners to come in. Yes, one thing is that the federal government has the absolute right to give the instrument of license for them to come.
“But they are coming to mine and meet a state that manages the land, so their practice and procedures must be guided by the host. There is an executive order to regulate the miners’ activities in the state.
“Now, when you get your license from Abuja and come down here, there is documentation that must be done.
“It will not stop the operation of the license but to do something that will help them to benefit from the license they have.
He also stated that failure to take proactive measures in regulating the mining operations and allowing chaos to prevail may lead to a situation where even those who hold licenses from authorities in Abuja could potentially encounter challenges from unauthorized individuals who might seek to disrupt their activities.
“So the Benue State government is interested in sanitising the place, and that is the reason why a new register is open for us to start over again.
“My meeting with some of them today is to engage some miners to enter into an agreement that will protect their operations and favour the state as well,” he explained.
