By Tina Amanda
The decision of the Cross River State government to halt mining activities has been praised by various civil society groups, following concerns over unwholesome practices by artisanal and industrial miners in the state.
Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Health Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), commended the state government for this measure to protect both the people and the environment. He noted that allowing mining in the state’s sensitive environment is ecologically harmful.
Bassey expressed concern over the increasing rate of unregulated mining activities in the protected forests of Cross River State. He warned that these activities pose significant threats with repercussions extending beyond the state’s and the nation’s boundaries.
He further urged the governor to prioritize and sustain the
policy, bearing in mind that mining in community forests and other
biodiversity hotspots are highly harmful and only enriches and profits
the individuals and corporations involved in the nefarious activities.
The HOMEF Director also urged governors of other states to emulate Senator Prince Bassey Edet and the Governor of Cross River State, in saving the fragile 54and already threatened ecosystems across Nigeria.
Shehu Akowe, HOMEF Project Lead on Mining, decried the rampant
uncontrolled mining in the nation while appealing to the government to build on the momentum by implementing an all-inclusive reform in the mining sector with the interest of communities as its centerpiece.
”The reform should prioritize environmental and socioeconomic impact assessments for environmental sustainability”.
