By Ayo Onikoyi

The Taraba State Government says it is leaving no stone unturned in the quest to drastically reduce the wanton loss of lives, property and huge financial resources to the activities of illegal miners in the State.

This and more were revealed to the public when the Governor took the Finish experts, who are on a 5-Day official visit to the State on a first hand tour to asses some illegal mining sites sealed by the Special Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force.

Taraba State has over 50 solid minerals and precious stones deposits. These include some of the purest and bluest sapphires in the world. There is also; Raw 22 Karat Gold, Silver, Cubic zirconia, Copper, Lead, Zink, Limestone, Lithium and others. But most of these natural endowments have been more of a curse than blessings in the past years. This is due to the levels of irretrievable costs and fatal losses through illegal, irresponsible and unsafe mining activities.

According to Adiya Uri Ngozichukwuka, CEO, April Benjamin and Dawn Communications Limited, the consulting firm to Taraba State on Education and Mining, the State looses an estimated sum of $10M weekly to illegal mining activities. The extent of destruction of the land is almost irreparable, especially in and around the Lithium, Bauxite and Fluorite mines. All these coupled with the incessant and avoidable loss of lives is the philosophy behind the zero tolerance to illegal mining by the State Government, she said.

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Before this administration came on board on May 29, 2023, Taraba State was quite notorious for illegal mining activities. Upon assumption of office, the Governor set out to completely eradicate such illegalities. He immediately adopted a military approach by appointing General Jeremiah Faransa (Rtd) as Head of Task Force Committee. The State has since experienced a drastic reduction in illegal minings, as the General went about his duties with military precision and diligence.

The Governor used the occasion to once again assure Taraba indigenes and residents of the his administration’s commitment to efficiently harness the State’s vast resources in credible and responsible ways.

“We shall always engage the right investors. We will always provide security and formulate mining policies which will bring about the ease of business in the sector. We will also ensure the engagement of the locals by creating job opportunities and getting the full benefits of the mining value chains to benefit of all Taraba indigenes and residents”, he said.

Recall that Governor Agbu Kefas, in June, 2023, signed an executive order prohibiting illegal mining activities in the State, during a meeting with traditional rulers at the Government House in Jalingo. The order was designed and made to address insecurity and land degredation in the State. Our correspondents also gathered from reliable sources that the regulatory framework of that order has also been strengthened to allow for more collaboration with relevant security agencies.

“A major pressing issue that requires our immediate attention is the rampant spread of illegal mining activities in our state. While mining holds great potential for economic growth, unregulated and illegal mining practices pose a significant threat to our environment, economic and social values. These activities lead to environmental degradation, health hazards and exploitation of vulnerable communities”, the Governor stated at the time.

He also decried the loss of innocent lives, displacement of communities and destruction of properties in the name of illegal and dangerous mining activities.