Ortom suspends mining activities in Benue over security, environmental threats

Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, has ordered an immediate suspension of illegal mining activities in some parts of the state.

According to a statement released on Thursday by Nathaniel Ikyur, chief press secretary to Benue governor, Ortom gave the directive in Makurdi at a security meeting with stakeholders from Kwande LGA.

The activities of improperly documented natural resource miners are said to be prevalent in the LGA.

The governor also revoked all rights granted to mining racketeers by some communities within the state.

“Governor Ortom warned that illegal mining poses security and environmental threats to not just Kwande but the entire state if allowed to fester,” the statement reads.

“He, therefore, revoked all rights granted to mining racketeers by some communities within Benue State territory, warning that anyone caught indulging in or abating illegal mining activities will be prosecuted.

“The Governor explained that although mining in the exclusive list is controlled by the Federal Government, the lands where mining would be done were held by the Governor in trust for the people of state, emphasising that due process must be followed in carrying out mining.

“Governor Ortom stated that prospective licensed miners will be adequately profiled before they will be allowed to carry out any mining activity in the state to check the infiltration of criminal elements.

“He commended the Kwande local government council chairman, Hon. Orjiir Gbande, for being alert and drawing his attention to the security and environmental threats posed by the illegal mining activities in the Turan and Kyurav axis of the local government.

“The Governor further cautioned traditional rulers from the area to refrain from unlawfully ceding lands to prospective miners, stressing that only the State Government had the rights to approve lands for use by anyone for such purpose.

“He further urged the elites to get involved and sensitize their communities on the impending dangers of allowing unauthorized persons access to their communities for the purpose of mining.”