FG vows to ensure environmental compliance in the mining sector

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring compliance with environmental standards by monitoring the activities of mining companies.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, stated this during a reception on Friday at his office of Enugu Governor Peter Mbaha in Abuja.

Alake said the move was aimed at cleaning up and repositioning the sector to improve the country’s economic profile.

He disclosed that the Federal Government and Enugu have agreed to establish the state Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) to monitor compliance of mining companies with environmental standards.

He stated that such a move would influence the development of the mining sector in the country.

MIREMCO is tasked with overseeing regulations regarding mining activities in the state.

This includes ensuring environmental standards for the degradation of soil from which minerals are extracted and the sustainable and orderly development and management of extractive resources.

The Minister highlighted the state’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s economy during the colonial era and highlighted its potential for renewed economic growth through the extraction of solid minerals.

“Now that we have our own independence of thought and action, Enugu is the way to go.

“We are working with Enugu and other states to ensure that all Nigerians have access to the benefits of the solid minerals sector,” he said.

On his part, Mba said his administration was committed to harnessing Enugu’s vast mineral resources in partnership with the Federal Government.

Mba thanked the minister for his decisive action in establishing MIREMCO, which played a key role in solving the problem of illegal mining.

“The minister, immediately after receiving my request to establish MIREMCO, immediately called the appropriate official and tasked him with ensuring the speedy process of establishing the committee.

“We believe that with the establishment of MIREMCO in Enugu, we will be able to curb the activities of illegal miners and license fraud,” he said.

The minister recently met with 32 governors to form a joint committee to address mining issues, clean up the sector and attract investors.

The move was part of the ministry’s efforts to gain support from sub-national actors and engage them in ongoing efforts to reposition the sector.

Mr. Mbaha’s visit was a continuation of these commitments and was aimed at creating an enabling environment for mining activities in the country to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s gross domestic product.

(NAN)