News Editor
By David Odama
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Abdulkarim Kana, has said that constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered the Governor and Nasarawa State House of Assembly the powers to protect its environment via legislation for the overall development of the State.
Prof. Kana who made this known during a Public Hearing On a Bill For a Law to Provide for the Regulation and Control of Issuance of Land Consent and Community Agreements to Mining Entities by Mining Communities and Other Matters Related Thereto. said that the bill would not only arrest illegal mining but would also boost the revenue and socio- economic development of rs5the State.
” The Governor and the House of Assembly have the powers to protect the environment.
He spoke extensively on interested areas and inputs on the proposed bill and called on miners to adhere strictly to Community Development Agreements in line with global best practices.
On his part, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources said that the bill is to regulate the issuance of mining consent in the state in order in to address conflicts and other negative issues surrounding the mining activities in the home of solid minerals.
Omadefu said that the public hearing was organized in order to get stakeholders inputs on the bill.
” Which will help the House to come out with clean and good bill that would protect our environment” he said.
He said that even though, mining is in exclusive list but the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has also empowered the House to legislate and protect its environment.
He called on participants to contribute positively so that the assembly can come out with a good legislative instrument for good governance in the state.
Omadefu assured stakeholders of the committee determination to make use of their inputs for a clean bill
On his part, the Sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Daniel Ogazi (APC- Kokona East) said that the bill if finally scaled through would promote peace and unity in mining communities.
He also said that the bill would curtail illegal mining in the state as well as insecurity.
Ogazi said the bill is not in conflict with the Federal Law on mining but rather to strengthen the existing law to make it more effective and responsive to the challenges of mining in the state.
He said due process must be followed before obtaining consent permit for mining activities in any community of the state.
He added that Community Development Agreement signed must be respected.
Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, Commissioner for Environment said that the ministry would ensure that due process is follow by miners in order to protect the environment in the state
” Miners should follow due process before getting license. Any attempt to get the license before following the procedure is illegal” he said.
The Environment Commissioner called for strengthening of the mining consent in order to arrest most of the challenges in the mining sector .
Hon. Kwanta appreciated the Sponsor of the bill and the House for passing the bill into first and second reading.
Also speaking, Hon. Abdulhamid Kwarra, the former Majority Leader of the House commended Hon Daniel Ogazi for initiating the bill towards having legal framework to tackle illegal mining in the state.
He said that the bill would promote security and peace and boost the revenue base of the state government.
Hon Kwarra said that issue of multiple consents should be tackled.
Also Speaking, Alhaji Ahmed Abubakar Kana, the General Manager, Nasarawa State Water Board advised miners to protect water and adhere strictly to water and environmental laws.
Barr Ede Yahaya Yakubu, Director, Legal Drafting Ministry of Justice appreciated the House for organizing the public hearing towards getting stakeholders inputs on the bill.
He called for stiffer penalties for defaulters of the law to serve as deterrent to others.
“What is the penalty for defaulters, in the event that somebody defaulted, what will happen to such a person,” he said.
Mrs Atinuke Chamang, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Science and Technology also appreciated the sponsor of the bill and the House, saying that it has come at the right time.
Mr Khalid Adamu, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Land, Urban and Regional Planning, said that the ministry issued Certificate of Occupancy and called for sensitization of farmers and other people on the law.
” The synergy between the Federal Ministry of Land and State Ministry of Land is vital in ensuring successful mining activities in the state.
” As a ministry, we are the custodian of land in the state, for any consent to be granted, the consent of the Governor must be obtained” he said.
Mr Samuel Yakubu, Vice President, Nasarawa State NLC called for clear defined law, especially in area of protecting the land.
“The miners should defined what they will do to the mining host communities as their Social Responsibility clearly” he said.
Mrs Halima Sanusi Sabo, Nasarawa State Coordinator, Women in Mining in Nigeria, called for protection of women and youths during mining.
She expressed concern over abuse of women and children in mining sites while calling for a sound law that would protect them.
