HON. UTA EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR MINE MARSHALS TO TACKLING ILLEGAL MINING IN BENUE STATE

August 13, 2024

The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Solid Minerals, Forestry and Mining, Hon. Stephen Uta, has expressed support for the Mines Marshal unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to effectively tackling the menace of illegal miners in the state.

Hon. Uta made this known yesterday August 12, 2024, during an official visit to the State Commandant of the Civil Defence Corps at the State Command Headquarters in Makurdi.

The PSA during the visit said the Benue State Government was in total support of the initiative of the Mines Marshalls as recently unveiled by the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, on behalf of the Federal Government.

He added that the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia was deeply concerned about the security and environmental threats posed by the activities of illegal miners in the state, hence the subsisting ban on all mining businesses in Benue State.

Speaking further, Hon. Uta said the Governor is putting up measures to encourage investors who will add value to the huge mineral deposits in the state, and also profile all licenced miners as well as support small-scale miners to form mining cooperatives for easy identification and sustainable development in the sector.

This, the PSA noted, will help both the Federal and State Governments to maximise the huge revenue potentials in the mining sector and also promote safer and responsible mining protocols.

He equally commended the state Commandant for keying into one of the major objectives of Governor Alia which is ensuring the security of lives and property of the Benue citizenry.

While welcoming the PSA, the Commandant appreciated the cordial working relationship been enjoyed by the NSCDC and other sister security agencies in the state with the Governor, which he noted, has made there operations seamless and reduced crime rate in the state.

The Commandant added that Governor Alia has made a remarkable distinction for his administration by appointing competent youths of the state, such as Hon. Uta, into strategic positions, and the many projects being executed by the Governor for the benefit of the people.

He further appreciated the support been extended to the Mines Marshal unit by the Governor which the Commandant noted will greatly boost the morale of the Marshalls, and also promised to adhere strictly to the mandate as given by the Honourable Minister.

Kputu Joseph
Media Assistant to the PSA.