Buba warns against malpractices in Plateau mining sector

Traditional leaders in Plateau State have been warned against negative practices that are inimical to the development of the mining sector.

They have also been advised to discourage the carrying out of mining activities within the areas of residence to avoid the unavoidable loss of human lives.

The Gbong Gwom Jos, Dah Jacob Gyang Buba, gave the warning at the opening of a two–day consultative forum with critical stakeholders on emerging reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector.

Buba described the land as a grade-one commodity for any positive development to be preserved, attributing the level of insecurity and other health-attendant issues to the illegal activities of miners.

He also noted with dismay the irrational manner in which traditional rulers in the state often sign approvals for lands which are mostly used for illegal mining activities in the state.

The paramount ruler was not happy with some district heads and village heads who always endorsed any document brought to them without assessing the implications, advising them to work with the government for their interest.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang declared the event open and displayed the precious minerals that the state is endowed with, regretting, however, that only a paltry amount of over N500 million has always been declared as proceeds from the mining activities yearly, the situation he noted will no longer be tolerated.

Mutfwang charged all the traditional rulers to use their positions to halt illegal mining activities going on in the states, appealing also to the security operatives not to succumb to the temptation of illegal mining in the state.

He emphasised the need for resource control by the states where the resources are found as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria.

The two–day stakeholders’ forum is aimed at exploring the current status of revenue generation in the mining sector in the state with a focus on federal and state strategies and identifying opportunities for improvement to ensure development.