Following concerns raised about emerging threats to security around mining sites in part of the state, the Nasarawa state Government is partnering with the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO), to regulate mining activities in the state.
This was made known when the Director-General, NMCO, Mr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, paid a courtesy visit on Governor Abdullahi Sule, at the Government House, Lafia, recently.
It would be recalled that, NMCO was established in year 2007 with the responsibility for the administration and management of mineral titles in Nigeria in accordance with section 5(1) of the Nigerian minerals and mining Act, 2007.
In his remarks, Mr. Nkom said he was in Lafia to declared unalloyed support and to partner with the Nasarawa state Government and to regulate mining activities in the state.
The DG said his agency is aware of the challenges that are there in the mining sector, particularly with it comes to communities, land owners, security and operators who come in diverse ways with different perspectives but all targets is the abundant wealth available in Nasarawa state.
In his response, Governor Abdullahi Sule decried the spate of unrest around mining sites mostly due to activities of illegal miners.
The Governor expressed appreciation over the level of enthusiasm and commitment shown by the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office to partner with his administration towards sanitizing mining activities in the state.
The Governor further stated that, the opportunities in the mining sector are enormous but that steps must be taken not to waste such opportunities by encouraging illegal mining.
The Governor however requested the NMCO to always ensure prospective mining companies seeking for licenses to operate in the state always present their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in other to safeguard the environment.
He expressed optimism that the state known as the Home of solid minerals is beginning to witness the discovery of most sought after, minerals especially Lithium.
The Governor used the opportunity of the visit to announced that yet another private firm has approached him with the idea of investing the sum of N250m USD, towards building another Lithium factory that has the capacity to process 18,000 metric tones per day.
He further added that, already the contract for the project has already been awarded to the company that built the Dangote Cement factories in Obajana, Ibese, as well as upgraded the Benue Cement company.
Ari, Liman Aminu.
Head of Centre,
Federal Information Centre, Lafia.
