Miners seek lifting of ban on mining activities in Taraba

Miners who were recently thrown into the unemployment market following the prohibition of mining activities in Taraba State by Governor Agbu Kefas have reached out to the governor with Save Our Ship (SOS) messages.

They appealed to the governor to lift the ban and allow them to resume their mining activities.

The appeals, which were contained in a communiqué issued to journalists in the state on Saturday, pleaded with the governor to reverse Executive Orders Three and Five to allow for the resumption of mining activities in the state.

The communiqué was observed to be part of the resolution arrived at during the end of a consultative meeting with mineral title holders and stakeholders organized by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, which took place in Jalingo, the state capital.

Signed by Engineer Kutman Hosea, the miners observed that although the Ministry was not consulted before passing the Executive Orders, they believed that the orders were made in good faith to address insecurity in the state.

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According to the communiqué, the miners said they would collectively support the state government to obtain revenue from mining activities by paying stipulated fees.

“Mineral title holders are willing to engage in a partnership with the state government to enhance mining operations and benefit communities and Nigeria at large.

“There is a commitment from mineral title holders to ensure that all companies strictly sign and implement agreements for community development with their host communities,” the communiqué read.

They also assured that they would conduct their mining activities in a manner that safeguards the environment and aligns with laid-down procedures.

They appealed to both the state and federal governments to provide support and other incentives to indigenous miners, believing that supporting indigenous miners will eradicate poverty in communities where the minerals are located.

They added that the ban on mining activities in the state has brought untold hardship to miners, with many of them indebted to financial institutions.