Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has announced a comprehensive ban on illegal mining across the state and has ordered a 24-hour surveillance
The directive, which takes immediate effect, exempts only operators with legitimate approvals from the federal government.
At a strategic meeting with stakeholders in the sector, Gov. Otu noted that intelligence reports have shown a worrying influx of unregulated operators into mining communities, including foreign nationals whose identities and operational structures were largely unknown to the state.
Gov. Otu said the state could no longer tolerate a situation where a sector with enormous economic potential has gradually become a source of instability and social disruption in several communities.
The governor also lamented that certain local actors had compounded the problem by aiding and abetting illegal activities in the sector.
“I am imposing a total ban on illegal mining in this state. 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,” he declared.
Gov. Otu also warned that the government would no longer tolerate uncontrolled mining operations that endanger public safety and agricultural livelihoods, adding that “this situation is affecting our security.
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“It is affecting our farmers and creating too many problems for our communities.”
To ensure strict compliance with the directive, the governor ordered his security adviser to immediately coordinate enforcement across the state.
He also mandated the anti-illegal mining taskforce to begin continuous surveillance operations in mining areas to prevent attempts to circumvent the directive.
“There must be 24-hour monitoring to ensure that nobody goes behind the government to continue these activities illegally,” the governor also directed.
Gov. Otu further revealed that the government would soon embark on professional geological mapping of mining zones in order to properly structure the sector and attract responsible investment.
