1999 Constitution, an albatross to Solid Minerals Development in Cross River – Gov Otu
By: Edem Archibong, Calabar.
The Cross River State Governnor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has faults the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as the legal challenges that have granted the Federal Government an exclusive control over mineral resources in Cross River State particularly the “Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and the Land Use Act of 1978, which complicates the state inability to manage its own mineral resources effectively”.
Governnor Otu made the assertion in Calabar recently when members of the Federal House of Representatives Committee On Solid Minerals led by it Chairman, HON. Gaza Jonathan paid a visit to Cross River State with the aims to investigate the compliance of mining companies operating on mineral resources in line with the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 and the Explosive Act.
The lawmakers also use the opportunity to extend invitations to Cross River State Government to participate in the coming Expo on Solid Minerals while expressing concerns over the activities of illegal Mining and its detrimental effects on communities, claiming “we must take a critical look at how our people are actually getting their share of the minerals being exploited”, while there should be need for improved governance and adherence to laws design to benefits the local populations.
Governnor Otu use the opportunity to enumerate the various Minerals resources which Cross River State is endowed with to includes, large quantities of limestone, granite, kaolins, gold, Uranium, iron ore, barite, manganese and other minerals available within the state, expressing hope that their exploration could bolster the state’s revenue.
He therefore call for a comprehensive legislative review with the aims at empowing States in the management of mineral resources and such amendments should include relevant Acts in regards to Land Administration in the ongoing process of Constitution amendments while advocating for the ownership of solid minerals to be included in the Residual list.
On the basis of this argument, Governnor Otu beliefs that these enactment will improve the livelihoods of citizens, reduce illegal Mining, and ultimately lead to a rise in the state’s Gross Domestic Products.
For the opinion of Cross River State as Government on the ongoing Constitution Review, he indicated that the state is strongly articulating against the Federal Government control of almost all the vital resources of revenue while the state have nothing.
Speaking earlier, the House Committee Chairman on Solid Minerals, HON. Gaza Jonathan stressed the importance of providing remediation such as the reclamation of mining sites due to the impact of mining activities with reference to similar practice in advance countries where such sites could be transformed into tourist attractions.
He also warn about the danger of a poorly managed mining operation site which have claimed lives in places across the country.
The Committee Chairman also urged Governnor Otu to formalize the consent process on his part with the miners and their activities to that Communities benefits on their resources while advocating for an agreement that would clarify the relationship between mining companies and local communities to promote sustainable development in the state.
