Abia NSCDC Moves Against Illegal Mining, Dredging

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has intensified efforts to sort out unlawful mining, dredging and quarrying actions with a name for strict compliance with current mining legal guidelines.

The State Commandant, Chukwuemeka Odimba, made the decision on Friday throughout a one-day mining summit organised by the command in partnership with the Abia State Government in Umuahia.

The summit, themed “Promoting Responsible Mining, Sustainable Mineral Resources Development and Compliance with Government Regulations,” introduced collectively stakeholders within the mining business to handle challenges affecting the sector and develop methods for sustainable mineral useful resource administration.

Odimba described unlawful and unregulated mining actions as a rising concern, warning that such operations had contributed to environmental degradation, erosion, insecurity, income losses and communal conflicts throughout the state.

He famous that Abia was endowed with stable mineral sources, together with limestone, granite, kaolin and sand, however regretted that unlawful mining actions had turned some mineral-bearing communities into environmental hazards.

The commandant defined that the NSCDC had a statutory duty to guard mines, quarry websites and mineral-bearing lands as vital nationwide belongings and infrastructure beneath Section 3 of the NSCDC Act 2003, as amended in 2007.

He mentioned the institution of the Mining Marshals by the Federal Government and directives from the Corps’ Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had strengthened the company’s capability to implement mining rules and sanitise the sector.

According to him, the summit was designed to realize 4 main aims: educate mining operators on current legal guidelines and rules, strengthen collaboration amongst related authorities companies and conventional establishments, promote the formalisation of mining operations and reinforce enforcement in opposition to unlawful actions.

Odimba assured stakeholders that the command would undertake decisive, skilled and complete enforcement measures in opposition to operators who violate mining rules.

He confused that collaboration with the Federal Mining Office, the Abia State Government, safety companies and conventional rulers was important to making sure that mining actions benefited operators, host communities and authorities.

The summit featured technical shows by the Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, who represented Governor Alex Otti; the Federal Mining Officer; the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources; the Commissioner for Works; and representatives of quarry and dredging associations.

Security chiefs from sister companies additionally delivered goodwill messages, whereas the interactive session was moderated by the Head of the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure unit, DCC E. A. Edike.

A communiqué outlining resolutions and suggestions from the summit is anticipated to be issued after stakeholders reconvene once more.

The NSCDC reaffirmed its dedication to defending vital nationwide belongings and making certain a secure and orderly surroundings for sustainable mining operations in Abia State.