The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has intensified efforts to tackle illegal mining, dredging and quarrying activities with a call for strict compliance with existing mining laws.
The State Commandant, Chukwuemeka Odimba, made the call on Friday during 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,” brought together stakeholders in the mining industry to address challenges affecting the sector and develop strategies for sustainable mineral resource management.
Odimba described illegal and unregulated mining activities as a growing concern, warning that such operations had contributed to environmental degradation, erosion, insecurity, revenue losses and communal conflicts across the state.
He noted that Abia was endowed with solid mineral resources, including limestone, granite, kaolin and sand, but regretted that illegal mining activities had turned some mineral-bearing communities into environmental hazards.
The commandant explained that the NSCDC had a statutory responsibility to protect mines, quarry sites and mineral-bearing lands as critical national assets and infrastructure under Section 3 of the NSCDC Act 2003, as amended in 2007.
He said the establishment of the Mining Marshals by the Federal Government and directives from the Corps’ Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had strengthened the agency’s capacity to enforce mining regulations and sanitise the sector.
According to him, the summit was designed to achieve four major objectives: educate mining operators on existing laws and regulations, strengthen collaboration among relevant government agencies and traditional institutions, promote the formalisation of mining operations and reinforce enforcement against illegal activities.
Odimba assured stakeholders that the command would adopt decisive, professional and comprehensive enforcement measures against operators who violate mining regulations.
He stressed that collaboration with the Federal Mining Office, the Abia State Government, security agencies and traditional rulers was essential to ensuring that mining activities benefited operators, host communities and government.
The summit featured technical presentations 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 agencies also delivered goodwill messages, while 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 recommendations from the summit is expected to be issued after stakeholders reconvene again.
The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting critical national assets and ensuring a safe and orderly environment for sustainable mining operations in Abia State.