Governor Otu Set Committee To Address Illegal Mining

By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent

The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu has set an eight-man Constitution of the State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), to address illegal mining in the State.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Gil Nsa, disclosed this in a press release made available to the Press.

He said it is in line with the relevant provisions of the Nigeria Mineral and Mining Act of 2007.

The release reads “In his avowed determination to address the disturbing activities of illegal miners in the State and also, in line with the relevant provisions of the Nigeria Mineral and Mining Act of 2007 which provides that each State of the Federation should establish a committee to be known as the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), His Excellency the Governor of Cross River State Senator Bassey Edet Otu has approved the appointment of Otu Bassey Archibong Ph.D – Chairman, Hon. Moses Osogi – Commissioner for Environment (member), Hon. Effiom-Ekaha Otu Commissioner for Mineral Resources (member).

“Also, Hon. Chief Francis Ekpenyong – Commissioner for Lands (Member), Engineer Ibena Uduma Ibena Member, Mines Environmental Compliance (MSMD).

“Representative of Federal Ministry of Environment, representative of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) – Member and Engineer Mayowa Omosebi, the Federal Mines Officer (MSMD) is to serve as Secretary of the Committee.”