The Governor of Cross River State, Mr Bassey Otu, has imposed a statewide ban on illegal mining, directing all unlicensed operators to immediately shut down their activities.
The directive followed a strategic meeting with stakeholders in the mining industry, where the governor expressed concern over the growing security and environmental risks associated with unregulated mining operations.
Mr Otu said the ban takes immediate effect and applies to all operators without legitimate approvals from the Federal Government of Nigeria, while those with proper documentation will be allowed to continue their activities.
“This sector is strategic to the economic future of our state,” the governor said. “But instead of bringing prosperity to our communities, it is gradually becoming a source of serious concern. We believe wealth can still be created from mining, but it must be done ethically, legally and with full responsibility.”
He revealed that intelligence reports had shown an increasing influx of unregulated mining operators, including foreign nationals whose identities and operations remain largely unknown to the state authorities.
“I have been receiving reports about the influx of strangers and aliens into our various communities,” Otu said. “The truth is that we do not even know the number of these operators. We must know those who are in our state and what exactly they are doing in our environment.”
The governor also accused some local actors of aiding illegal mining activities.
“Some of the people complicating this situation are unfortunately within our own communities,” he said. “Some clan heads and village heads have become part of the problem by facilitating activities that are not properly regulated.”
Mr Otu revealed that the state government had initially attempted to address the problem through dialogue with federal authorities and security agencies responsible for monitoring mining operations, but noted that progress had been slow.
“I personally initiated discussions with federal authorities and security agencies to strengthen monitoring in the sector,” he said. “There were assurances that rangers would be deployed to assist us, but the process has taken far too long.”
He said the state could no longer wait, adding that the government had now decided to act decisively.
“We have given enough time of grace,” the governor declared. “There comes a point where government must act decisively. That time has now come.”
Announcing the directive, he said all illegal mining activities must stop immediately across the state.
“I am imposing a total ban on illegal mining in this state,” he said. “Let everyone return to their locations. When you are ready to come back, you must first report to the ministry and be properly profiled before any activity resumes.”
Mr Otu stressed that only operators with verifiable federal approvals and proper documentation would be allowed to continue operating.
“Those who have legitimate approvals from the federal government and whose activities are already known to the ministry will not be affected,” he said. “But anybody entering our communities to mine without proper authorisation should understand that those days are over.”
He warned that unregulated mining had begun to threaten public safety and agricultural livelihoods in many communities.
“This situation is affecting our security,” he said. “It is affecting our farmers and creating too many problems for our communities. Cross River is a hospitable state, but there is a limit to what we can continue to manage.”
To enforce the directive, the governor ordered the State Security Adviser to coordinate immediate enforcement operations and directed the Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force to commence round-the-clock surveillance in mining areas.
“There must be 24-hour monitoring to ensure that nobody goes behind the government to continue these activities illegally,” he said.