- Says enough of exploiting host communities
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Determined to protect host communities from exploitative and risky practices, Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River has ordered the immediate and compulsory profiling of all mining and quarrying activities in the state.
Consequently, operators of mining and quarry sites are to undergo mandatory documentation with the State Ministry of Mines and Mineral resources on or before 16th April 2026 to avoid possible sanctions, which may also include legal prosecution by the government.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr Linus Obogo, explained that the State government is seriously concerned about the flagrant violation of Executive Order 1 of 2024 which streamlined the operation of mining and quarrying companies and their activities in the State.
He warned that at the expiration of mandatory date set aside for the profiling exercise, the State government would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on defaulters.
Mr Obogo said the exercise is meant to forestall insecurity and extortion of host communities by greedy operators who may wish to capitalise on the ignorance of host communities about their rights and safety mechanisms.
According to him, moving forward, the state government has declared a zero-tolerance policy against erring operators to ensure they do not violate the rights of host communities and block them from reaping the rewards of local mineral exploration within their respective areas.
