By Muslimat Itopa
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has declared that legitimate artisanal miners in Enjema community, Ankpa Local Government Area, should not be criminalised for engaging in lawful mining activities to earn a living, urging relevant authorities to distinguish them from criminal elements.
The governor made this position known during an on-the-spot assessment visit to mining sites in Enjema, where he inspected the environmental degradation and infrastructural damage allegedly caused by mining activities.
He disclosed that the state government had profiled a significant number of artisanal miners, including more than 1,000 degree holders, over 500 master’s degree holders and more than 300 individuals without formal educational qualifications.
The governor said, “They are not kidnappers. They are not armed robbers. They have chosen not to go the way of kidnapping. They have chosen to earn a living through their hands. Why should somebody come here, arrest them and tag them as illegal miners?”
He maintained that his administration would not allow legitimate mining activities to be disrupted under the guise of tackling insecurity, adding that the government remained committed to protecting the lives and livelihoods of residents.
He expressed displeasure over the condition of roads and the absence of basic social amenities in Enjema despite the mineral resources being extracted from the area.
Governor Ododo consequently directed the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development to work with the leadership of the miners’ association to obtain a comprehensive list of licensed mining operators in the area for proper engagement.
He said the government would dialogue with the operators and ensure they fulfil their Corporate Social Responsibility obligations by rehabilitating damaged roads and providing essential facilities, including schools, potable water and electricity.
The Governor also cautioned traditional rulers against granting consent to unlicensed mining operators, urging those who had issued such approvals without following due process to withdraw them.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development Bashir Gegu commended the governor for personally visiting the community, describing the visit as an indication of the administration’s commitment to ensuring that the state’s mineral wealth benefits its citizens.
The commissioner explained that the state government had strengthened regulations governing mining activities, particularly the issuance of community consent letters and the implementation of Community Development Agreements.
He noted that such agreements should go beyond token financial empowerment to include sustainable development projects such as good roads, potable water, electricity, quality schools and scholarships for members of host communities.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, Yunusa Oruma, appreciated the governor for the visit and his administration’s support for mining activities.
Oruma described Governor Ododo as a supporter of the mining sector and pledged the association’s readiness to mobilise artisanal and other categories of miners in support of the administration.
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