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.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

All construction companies/individuals handling Government projects in Benue State requiring materials sourced through mining activities, such as aggregates, crushed rock, stone base etc from quarry sites, sharp sand and other related solid minerals, are requested to seek exemption/clearance from the State Government before going to such sites.

This measure is in the light of the subsisting Executive Order by the Governor of the State suspending all mining activities.

The concerned companies/individuals are to contact the office of the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Solid Minerals, Forestry and Mining, Hon. Stephen Uta, at the Benue State Government House for more details, and subsequent clearance.

Similarly, companies/individuals operating quarry business, sand dredging and other related activities are also requested to comply to this notice.

Hon. Stephen Aondona Uta,
PSA to the Governor on Solid Minerals, Forestry and Mining
29th July, 2024.

ILLEGAL MINERS SMUGGLING MINERAL RESOURCES DESPITE BAN, HON. UTA LAMENTS

Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Solid Minerals, Forestry and Mining, Hon. Stephen Aondona Uta, expresses dismay regarding the ongoing activities of illegal miners in Benue State despite the temporary ban on all mining activities in the state implemented by Executive Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

Hon. Uta, during a visit to some mining sites in Logo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State on Wednesday, 17th July, 2024, decried the disastrous implications of the illegal activities on both the environment and the revenue-generation capacity of the state.

Hon. Uta further expresses displeasure upon realizing that some illegal miners were still going on with their illicit businesses – extracting, moving and hinding the mineral resources – which belongs to Benue State in the neighboring communities of Taraba State so as to avoid penalty from the Benue State Government.

He states that he was also aware of some perpetrators who, since the ban, have been transporting the solid minerals at night through River Anyebe in Logo LGA and other parts of the State in order to avoid being caught by security operatives, assuring that investigations were ongoing and those found guilty will face the wrath of the law.

In an interaction with the host communities, the youth and elders, expressed their gratitude towards the state government for its relentless efforts to restore order and integrity in the mining sector.

The mining sites inspected by Hon. Uta were those situated in the Mbagbe and Ayilamo communities of Logo LGA where various minerals, including lead, zinc, iron ore and fluorite are been extracted.

Joseph Kputu,
Media Assistant to the PSA on Solid Minerals, Forestry and Mining.
July 18, 2024.

BENUE MINING SECTOR UNDER UTA’S WATCHFUL EYE

The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Solid Minerals, Mining, and Forestry, Honorable Uta Stephen Aondona , is committed to ensuring the proper regulation of the mining sector in Benue State. His actions demonstrate a departure from past practices, with a firm insistence on following established protocols.

One of his significant moves includes ensuring Dangote Cement Factory in Benue State complies with executive orders, setting a precedent for adherence to regulations. Additionally, he has already impounded 15 trucks at Adikpo for illegally transporting iron ore, with more enforcement actions anticipated.

Honorable Uta's dedication to ensuring compliance within the mining sector underscores his credibility, transparency, and capacity. His proactive approach signals a departure from lax enforcement practices.

He aims to rectify issues within Benue's mining sector and uphold the temporary ban on illegal mining imposed by His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State. Honorable Uta's relentless pursuit of illegal miners demonstrates his commitment to enforcing regulations and preserving the state's resources.

Joseph Kputu,
Media Assistant to the PSA on Solid Minerals, Forestry and Mining.
17th April, 2024.

DANGOTE CEMENT COMPANY SEALED FOR NON-COMPLIANCE TO THE ORDER BY THE BENUE STATE GOVERNOR SUSPENDING ALL MINING ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE

The Principal Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Benue State on Solid Minerals, Forestry and Mining, Hon. Stephen Uta, On 12th April, 2024, led a combined team of security men to the Gboko Plant of Dangote Cement to enforce compliance of the company to the suspension order by Gov. Hyacinth Alia suspending all mining activities in the state.

This enforcement became necessary following the company's failure to comply to the order even after a written notice was served on the company.

Speaking shortly after carrying out the enforcement, Hon. Uta said Dangote company was still actively mining limestone and coal at Gboko and Okpokwu respectively in defiance to the Governor’s directive.

He further added that he was going ahead to ensure that all mining companies in the state comply with the order.

It will be recalled that the Governor of the state had in a meeting with all miners in the state, in which a representative of the company was in attendance, on the 21st of March 2024, ordered the suspension of all mining activities until all issues surrounding mining activities in the state was sorted out.

Joseph Kputu
Media Assistant to the PSA on Solid Minerals, Forestry and Mining.
12th April, 2024.