Illegal mining threat to security, infrastructure development in A’Ibom – Commissioner

Aniekeme Ufot, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Environment and Solid  Minerals, Mr Charles Udoh, has said that illegal mining and dredging in the state is a threat to security and infrastructure development in the state. 

Udoh said this while briefing newsmen on ways of controlling flooding in the state capital and IBB World Bank Project in Uyo on Tuesday. 

The commissioner expressed his displeasure with illegal mining and dredging as this would bring about insecurity and infrastructure breakdown in the state.

He said that people dredge under bridges and even close to sea shores which is quite unsafe and as such, was a threat to the infrastructure that the state government has invested it hard earned resources.

He added that dredging and mining creates job opportunities and that the state government has no pleasure in disrupting their business, but when done illegally, could bring about insecurity and chaos in the state.

“When I became Commissioner for Environment, one of my major point was that, under my watch,  I would not sit and allow anyone come and destroy critical infrastructure in the state, as long as I have the support of the Government.

“The law says that mining activities is in the Exclusive List of the Federal Government, the law also says that environmental issues are also in the concurrent list which gives me a say.

“When you go to other places to mine illegally, I would not look for you, but when you come to Akwa Ibom, I will look for you for two reasons, security and infrastructure.

“We don’t want to sleep and at night and allow anyone under the disguise of illegal dredging and mining to wake up and gun all of us down.

“We spend huge amount of money with no help from the federal government building critical infrastructure and people are threatening those structures,” Udoh said.

The commissioner disclosed that 12 illegal miners has been arrested and were facing prosecution to serve as deterrent to others.

He, however, urged dredgers and miners to obtain mining licence from the Ministry of Mines & Steel, and follow all due processes, as illegal mining and dredging in the state would not be tolerated.