Stakeholders in the mining sector in Cross River State have called for stronger collaboration among the federal, state, and local governments, as well as traditional institutions, to control illegal mining and reduce communal clashes in host communities.
The call was made on Thursday in Calabar during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals in collaboration with the Cross River State Government, civil society groups, and other relevant agencies on environmental safety and community relations.
The Federal Mines Officer in the state, Ayelabola Olubunmi, said the programme was designed to ensure that the state derive adequate revenue from mining activities, and efforts are underway to block revenue leakages with a target to double earnings from solid minerals.
He further said that the initiative was aimed at involving all stakeholders, including the military, state representatives, the commissioner for solid minerals, the National Inland Waterways Authority, and other relevant agencies, to ensure due process in mining operations across the state.
