NSCDC mining marshals, Ankpa Traditional Council forge alliance against illegal coal mining

 

In a bid to tackle illegal coal mining and promote responsible exploitation of mineral resources, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) mining marshals have entered into a strategic partnership with the Ankpa Traditional Council to ensure that mining activities in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State are conducted within the ambit of the law.

The resolution was reached during a courtesy visit by John Onoja, commander, NSCDC Mining Marshals, assistant commandant, Corps (ACC), at the palace of Abubakar Yakubu Ahmed, the Ejeh of Ankpa and chairman, Ankpa Traditional Council.

Speaking during the visit, Onoja conveyed the goodwill of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, urging the people of Ankpa to embrace legitimate mining by partnering only with duly licensed mining companies.

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He advised host communities to take advantage of the Federal Government’s regulatory framework by reporting any licensed mining company that fails to comply with its Community Development Agreement (CDA), assuring them that such complaints would receive prompt attention from the appropriate authorities. Metals& Mining

“The vast coal deposits and other mineral resources in Ankpa should serve as a source of economic prosperity rather than fuel environmental degradation, insecurity and the needless loss of lives.

“The mineral resources with which Ankpa has been blessed should not become a curse to the people. Following our engagement with the traditional council, anyone who continues to engage in illegal mining will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the law,” he said.

Onoja expressed concern over the increasing fatalities associated with unregulated mining activities, stressing that the mining marshals would no longer tolerate unsafe mining practices that endanger the lives of young people in the area , just as he reaffirmed the commitment of the marshals to sanitising the nation’s mining sector through sustained enforcement of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act while strengthening collaboration with traditional institutions and host communities.

Responding, Abubakar Ahmed commended the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and the NSCDC Commandant General for their prompt intervention in addressing the issues.