The Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Edo State, Hon. Enaholo Ojiefoh, has unveiled plans by the State Government to embark on a systematic regulation of all mining operations to position the State Government as a major player and an enabler in the solid mineral market value chain.
Hon. Enaholo made this known at an enlarged meeting organized by the Ministry to brainstorm, draft and adopt a mining policy document that will open up the sector for investors and investments.
The Commissioner pointed out that the government had massively retooled its security architecture and created a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the State. He said that government is not unaware of the challenges and unwholesome activities going on in the sector hence it developed a master plan to make mining attractive and profitable to all stakeholders.
“The Governor of the state has developed a master plan to make mining lucrative in the State. And it’s a concern to the government how Miners survive in the bush. Security, funding, machinery, community relationship with Miners, multiple taxation, and infrastructure will be looked at to open up the solid mineral business in the State.
“In a couple of days, the Ministry will be launching a database of licensed miners and their locations. Mr. Obaseki wants to support you by giving you the enabling environment for your business to thrive.
“A lot of investors are coming into the Solid Mineral sector of the State. A machinery company is coming on board to lease machines and equipment to you at a reduced cost. We have to be sure that when these companies come, there will be people to lease their machines. The government is also working with modular refineries to make diesel available at a reduced cost to power heavy-duty trucks, excavators, and other equipment.
“Building a tank farm in Edo North is also under consideration. Edo State Government under Mr. Obaseki is doing a total resetting of the system,” he added.
Hon. Enaholo said that a task force will be launched by the government to check illegal mining activities, insecurity, and other issues bedeviling the sector. He averred that the government is designing a policy that will guide burrow pit operations noting that government is deeply concerned about the safety of the environment.
“Government wants the environment to be safe for investors and investments. The Ekpeshe issue is a disaster and the people that mined there are long gone. They can not be reached for remedial purposes. The database of licensed miners operating in the State comes into play here. By this, the government will be able to identify miners and the area they are operating from,” he said.
Hon. Enaholo disclosed that the investors coming would partner with indigenous companies operating in the State, noting that the era where multinational companies muzzle indigenous ones is gone.
In an opening remark, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Ferguson Enabulele, said the meeting was convened at the instance of the Commissioner to canvass for views on how to move the sector forward.
He said: “Solid mineral is a great endowment from God. A lot of unwholesome activities are going on there even the oil and gas sector. We can not appreciate the level of wastage of solid minerals because their locations are far from our abode.”
While noting that the sector is riddled with a lot of challenges, ranging from environmental degradation, insecurity, and other illegal activities, Engr. Enabulele expressed hope that at the end of the meeting, possible ways to surmount the challenges would have emerged for the greater good of all.
On his part, the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Hon. Kingsley Uwagbale disclosed that a lot was going on at the back end to ensure the State is safe for lives and businesses leveraging on technology.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Arch. Joshua Omokhodion urged miners to consider the environment in their operations noting that mining activities are a disaster to the environment.
Meanwhile, The Federal Ministry of Mines commended Edo State Government for organizing the stakeholders meeting to find a way forward in the business of mining.
Engr. Amos who spoke on behalf of the Ministry disclosed that the foundation of every license starts from the consent of the community and their benefit because mining activity is destructive, adding that the bank statement of the operator is also considered. He noted that the business of mining is capital-intensive.
On his part, Edo State Chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Engr. Micheal Okhumode commended Government for convening the meeting to address challenges bedeviling the sector, urging all members to ensure they are registered, as illegal mining will not be tolerated in the State.
At a breakout session resolutions on how the Mining business can be managed for the betterment of all were reached.
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