By Bridget Tikyaa Ikyado
The Benue State Government on Friday said a total of 34 solid minerals out of the 44 in the country are found in the State.
The State Chairman, Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee (MIREMCO), Barr Fidelis Mnyim disclosed this at a press conference in Makurdi.
Mnyim who is also the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order said the State was hugely blessed with over 85 percent of the country’s mineral deposits.
He said the committee was also mandated to ensure that mineral deposits in the State were fully developed.
He explained that the committee which was saddled with the responsibility of advising the the Minister of Solid Minerals on issues related in the sector would also serve as a link between the Federal Government, State and the host communities.
He said the committee would also ensure that there were smooth mining activities in Benue Communities, good working relationship between the locals and the miners for improved revenue generation.
“The committee is to advice the Minister of Solid Minerals on all issues relating to the sector for effective action. We will also liaise with and create synergy between the Federal Government, State and the host communities to ensure that mineral resources are properly developed and harness.
“We will also ensure that the State IGR is increased through the collection of the 13 percent royalties collected on mining.”
The Chairman further regretted that activities of illegal miners and improper coordination of mining activities were seriously affecting the State revenue and stated that they must be stopped.
He said going forward, a desk officer would be at the committee’s head office in Makurdi to collate data of all miners in the State.
Barr Mnyim explained that there were different categories of miners in the State, those with licences but not mining, those without proper licences, and those with licences mining but not paying the relevant fees.
He said the committee would also ensure that host communities collect the exact surface rent and sign the appropriate mining agreement.
According to him, illegal mining were contributing significantly to the ongoing insecurity in the State.