Traditional Rulers, Foreigners Behind Illegal Mining In Cross River — Obono-Obla

Former chairman of the Special Presidential Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has alleged that traditional rulers are conniving with foreign businessmen to exploit mineral resources in Cross River State.

He made this claim during an interactive session with LEADERSHIP, stating that foreign business tycoons sponsor communal clashes to facilitate illegal mining.

“Most of the communal crises and violence in many local government areas of the state are sponsored by foreign businessmen who are deep into illegal mining,” Obono-Obla said.

He accused these businessmen, along with traditional rulers and powerful individuals, of being behind violence and illegal mining in Yakurr, Obubra, and Akamkpa local government areas of the state.

The state government had banned illegal mining, but Obono-Obla noted that the practice persists.

“The state government placed a ban on illegal mining, but this has not stopped the exploitation of rare minerals found in the state,” he said.

To address this, Obono-Obla suggested establishing community-based mining companies with indigenes as shareholders.

“One of the most effective ways to stem this menace is for the Government of Cross River State to establish companies in which indigenes of the affected communities are shareholders,” he said.

This approach, he said, would align with the Land Use Act and Minerals and Mining Act, ensuring mineral exploitation benefits host communities and maintains peace.

“Such an approach would foster community buy-in, enhance resource control, and reduce the incentive for illegal mining,” he added.

Obono-Obla emphasized that empowering communities through legal mining structures would curtail illegal operations and promote sustainable development.

“Empowering communities through legal mining structures not only curtails illegal operations but also promotes sustainable development, strengthens local ownership, and ensures compliance with Nigeria’s statutory framework for land and mineral resource management,” he said.

He averred that this move would transform Cross River State’s mineral wealth into a source of prosperity rather than conflict.

“By combining the authority of the Land Use Act with the regulatory framework of the Minerals and Mining Act, Cross River State can transform its mineral wealth into a source of prosperity rather than conflict,” he said.