Governors Push For Tighter States Control Over Mining Activities

Source: Leadership
Author: Jonathan Nda-Isaiah

The Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) is pushing for greater involvement and tighter control by states over mining activities within their territories.

This came out of their meeting where the Solid Minerals Minister, Dele Alake, briefed them on reforms to better harness the country's mining potential.

While welcoming the reforms by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development aimed at creating an enabling environment for investors and supporting small-scale miners, the governors advocated for stronger inter-governmental coordination mechanisms.

According to a communique signed by NGF chairman and Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq made available yesterday, the states want to have more say in the licensing, surveillance and setting of operational safeguards for mining activities happening in their domain.

He said; "Members received a briefing from the Honorable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, on recent policies, institutional and operational reforms undertaken by the ministry in harnessing the mining potentials of the country.

"He sought the cooperation of state governments in his drive to create an enabling business environment for investors, support artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives, address illegal mining, and de-risk the sector."

"The minister encouraged state governments to form mining companies and apply for mining licenses.

"The forum welcomed the reforms, however, advocated for stronger intergovernmental relation in coordinating the activities of the sector from licensing, surveillance to operational safeguards."

Recall that states had previously accused the federal government of not properly consulting them before granting mining licenses and leases for operations within their territories.

NGF's senior health Advisor, Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab, updated governors on states' progress in expanding health insurance coverage, nutrition performance, and the Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge.

He also informed them about the upcoming Phase II rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination exercise across 21 states, commencing on May 27th, 2024.

The governors committed to intensifying efforts to achieve the advocated improvements in the health sector initiatives.