By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Illegal mining activities across communities in Cross River, have remained a source of worry to the State House of Assembly.
To this end, lawmakers called on the state government to urgently direct relevant agencies to check the menace, especially around Agoi Ekpo community in Yakurr local government area of the state.
This was the resolution after deliberating on a matter of urgent public Importance brought before it by the Member representing Yakurr 2 State Constituency and the only female legislator in the 10th Assembly, Hon Mercy Akpama.
Akpama, who frowned at the activities in the said community, argued that if not checked, could lead to social vices including stealing, kidnapping and violent clashes.
She stressed the need to institute proactive measures in order to safeguard the resources and lives of the constituents she represents at the state lawmaking body.
Her words: “The peaceful reputation of my constituency should be protected to prevent unpleasant consequences like violence and criminal activities which will surely happen if these illegal miners are not removed.
“These illegal miners who are mostly fulani teenagers are now on the streets of Nko Community, a neighboring village to Agoi Ekpo where they pose threats to the peace of the area,” Akpama said.
She further added that the illegal teenage miners should be profiled and reunited with their families before they start causing havoc.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon Sylvester Agabi, regretted that illegal mining has become a recurring decimal in the State, adding that, the House has deliberated severally on the issue as it affects other Communities.
In his remarks, Member representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency, Hon Cyril Omini, stressed the need for urgent government intervention to prevent unpleasant consequences.
He also informed that many school children have abandoned school for child labour at the mining sites, a development he described as worrisome.
Lending their voices to the matter, other lawmakers decried the reoccurrence of illegal mining across the State, reasoning that the State’s natural resources should be properly harnessed, even as they condemned the invasion of the State’s forests by foreigners in a desperate attempt to tap mineral resources.
They also implored local government Councils to sanction any traditional ruler who allows illegal migrants into his community.
Applauding the Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, for setting up a task force to check the menace of illegal mining across the state, they charged the Task Force to also ensure proper documentation of all mining companies for easy identification as well as aid in the payment of royalty to host communities.
