Benue Warns Against Illegal Mining In The State, Identifies 34 Mineral Deposits
By: Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi.
Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barr Fidelis Mnyim has disclosed that there is 34 different mineral deposit in endowed in Benue State.
The Commissioner recently elevated as chairman mineral Resources and Environmental management Committee while speaking with Journalists on Friday in Makurdi, stated those doing illegal minerals henceforth should be discontinued.
The Committee Chairman implored whoever is dispose to making mineral deposits business must avail themselves to obtained relevant permission by this committee including foreigners .
He stated we shall soon embarked on sentization to create awareness comprising three senatorial Districts where the commodities were endowed in each of the zone in the State.
The Committee Chairman reiterated those already in mining business without state authority should as matter of urgency consult the Committee for relevant documents and registration towards ensuring approval.
On allegations of traditional rulers colluded with others to permits illegal mining their respective areas thereby depriving government revenue? reminded that efforts are on deck to discouraged illegal activities after awareness is created and government position is made known to them.
According to him, these fraudsters would no longer be there stressing conscious efforts would be established if anyone contravention must be sanctioned.
“Declaring the mineral deposit endowed in Benue ,we came second on chart mineral deposit stressing this formed the basis while His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Alia is agitation for his state to be listed among oil producing to benefit from 13 percent deregulation.
It could be recalled that amongst mineral deposit endowed ,Apa, had coal while Agatu LGAs can boast of petroluem in large quantities as well as Gboko is endowed with limestone, including cement, just to mention but few.
