By Sule Aliyu, Gombe
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has issued an Executive Order Number 8 of 2024, to enhance the regulation and oversight of mining activities, aiming to protect host communities from exploitation and preserve the environment.
Central to the Executive Order is the creation of a Mining Activities Monitoring Committee, MAMC, headed by the Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources
Effective immediately, the order addresses key challenges associated with mining operations, such as environmental degradation, security issues, and the exploitation of local communities.
This committee, made up of representatives from various state ministries, security agencies, and the Gombe Geographic Information Services, GOGIS, is to oversee all mining activities in the state, ensure compliance with state laws, and work with federal agencies to minimize environmental harm.
A key requirement of the order is that all mining companies must submit Community Consents and Community Development Agreements to the state’s Ministry of Justice, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, for approval before commencing operations.
This, according to the order, will ensure that mining projects align with the interests of host communities and ensure that all agreements are legally sound.
Additionally, the order mandates that all mining personnel entering Gombe State undergo screening by the MAMC to verify their citizenship, relevant permits, and the legality of their operations.
This measure aims to prevent the influx of undocumented foreign workers and ensure that only authorized individuals engage in mining.
The Executive Order acknowledges that, while the Federal Government has the exclusive authority to issue mining licenses, the state government is responsible for ensuring the welfare and safety of its citizens, particularly those in mining areas and stresses the importance of confining mining operations within the boundaries set by the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007.
The MAMC is also empowered to assist federal agencies in managing environmental impacts and rehabilitating disturbed lands and further outlines the roles of the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service (GIRS) and local government councils in collecting state taxes, levies, and fees from mining entities.
The MAMC, in collaboration with these agencies, is tasked with ensuring compliance and prosecuting violators.
In response to concerns over unchecked mining activities that have led to environmental damage and insecurity, the Gombe State Government has also imposed a moratorium on traditional rulers and community leaders from granting occupancy rights for mining purposes without state approval.
This measure is intended to prevent unauthorized land use and ensure that all mining activities are conducted legally.
