Seek Consent Of Host Community Before Mining- FG Warns Miners
Bukola Elufadejin
Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, has warned miners to seek the consent of host community before mining on their land.
He stressed that miners should seek consent of the community leaders and the owners of the land before embarking on mining activities on their land.
The minister lamented that lack of consent are degrading the values and set back to mining, regretting that community were not carried along and their consent were not obtained before mining takes place in some part of the state.
Adegbite stated this at Government College Ibadan, Old Boys Association 93rd Anniversary 2022 Annual Reunion programme held at Wale Babalakin Hall, Gbongan, Osun State.
He thereby warns miners against mining without the consent of the host community.
“You see the most important aspect of mining like i said is called consent, that is without the consent of the community or the owners of the land you can not mine there.
“Now for you to mine,for you to get there consent, you must convince them of the benefits to them, their is something called ESG , Environmental Subsidy and Governance in mining which we hold dearly, yes mining by nature is destructive but there’s also before you can mine you do a Remediation plan you an environmental impact analysis”
“You do a report which you send to the Federal Ministry of Environment to approve and of course there’s a Remediation,at the end of the mining Life ,you must do the land back to it’s good use and towards that, there’s a sink in found which ever commune contribute to if at the end of the mine life.
“You do not do as you supposed to do ,the money that is due to you in that found which would have refunded to you, if you have found the remediation yourself would now be used for the remidiation,
” So yes, in the process of mining is destructive because is under the soil ,but at the end of the day you put the community back and the land as been used also very fertile for agriculture,so it become useful,yes at the end of the minig life they would have to put the land back to it original state which can be use of farming and other purposes, while mining is going on that is where the Consent and the CDA comes in,the communities now convince that they have benefits, that’s why they are giving there Consent that the company can go on and Maine.”
Speaking on the theme “The Mining sector : Privotal Role For Economic Diversification In Nigeria” He said that success execution of mines will unlock significant value for Nigeria.
He listed insecurities and Illegal miners as one of the biggest challenges facing mines in Nigeria.
The minister while stating challenges said some of the gold in Osun is associated to insecurities where as the state is among the thriving state blessed with miners
According to him, Illegal mining is an issue in Nigeria, the foreigners hide under the artisanal miners to operate mining illegally, predominance of small scale minerals against big mining companies , high cost of Geo physical data generation among others are challenges facing Mines.
He stated further that success execution of mines will unlock significant value for Nigeria.
Speaking, the National President of the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), Dr. Olawale Babalakin has lauded the solid foundation laid by the founding fathers of the school at inception.
This he said has remained a sure footing upon which the College that has produced eminent personalities, achievers across divers fields, stands till date.
He noted that the gathering was here essentially to remind Nigerians about the need for “good, quality education” old students enjoyed and still enjoy till date.
“GCI is a school founded on quality, discipline and sound culture. We are here to remind Nigerians that this is the way to go.
“Special thanks the executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde for returning GCI to the old boys for seamless, essential transformation.
“We must create a situation where we found the brightest and the best in every facet of life and our economy. Members of GCI have been a phenomenon over the years and we are still standing.
“The financial, intellectual commitment is what has kept GCI and why it’s still standing today. There is therefore the need for others to take a cue from this,” Babalakin stated.
Ends
