Former chairman, Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) under late President Muhammadu Buhari, and legal adviser to the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce Committee, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has advocated for decentralization of mining control and management to the state level.
He said that should the mining right and control be transferred from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List, it would avail states the opportunity to effectively manage their mineral resources.
Obla made the advocacy during the first anniversary celebration of the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Committee in Calabar yesterday.
He averred that the current centralised framework under which federal government exclusively controls solid minerals has contributed to the proliferation of illegal mining and poor regulation in resource-rich states.
Obla stressed that this would help curb illegal mining and generate more revenue for states.
He recommended that the Cross River State Government convert the Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce into a statutory agency and conduct a comprehensive geological survey to identify mineral deposits.
“There is no reason why minerals and mining should remain on the Exclusive List. These minerals are found within the territories of the states, and the lands themselves belong to the state governments.
“The federal government should hands off and allow states to take direct responsibility for managing their mineral resources,”he maintained.
He said that decentralising control of solid minerals would empower states to generate more revenue, protect the environment, and tackle illegal mining through locally driven frameworks.
Obla urged the Cross River State government to convert Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce into a statutory agency by enacting a law through the State House of Assembly.
He said that this would provide the taskforce with the necessary legal backing and institutional strength to carry out its mandate effectively.
“If the government enacts a law giving legal status to this taskforce and with Prince Effiong Paul in charge—it will achieve remarkable results,” Obla stated.
He advised the state government to conduct a comprehensive geological survey to identify mineral deposits across the state and to issue Certificates of Occupancy only to duly licensed miners, in order to promote transparency and accountability.
He called for the encouragement of community-based mining, where certified local miners participate directly in exploration and production, thereby ensuring that host communities benefit from their natural resources.
In his remarks, chairman, Cross River State anti- illegal mining committee, Prince Paul Effiong promised to work with out fear or favour to deliver the mandate given to him by the state governor.
“I know I am going to be stepping on toes, I have to be courageous to ensure that those engaging in illegal activities are haunted and brought to book and boost revenue accruing to the coffers of government,” he said.
