Former Presidential Aide and Legal Adviser to the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force Committee, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has called on the Federal Government to transfer control of minerals and mining from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List, to enable states to manage their own mineral resources effectively.
Speaking at the first anniversary celebration of the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Committee in Calabar, Obono-Obla argued that the current centralized framework under which the Federal Government exclusively controls solid minerals has contributed to the proliferation of illegal mining and poor regulation in resource-rich states.
“There is no reason why minerals and mining should remain on the Exclusive List. These minerals are located within the territories of the states, and the lands themselves belong to the state governments. The Federal Government should step in and allow the states to take direct responsibility for managing their mineral resources,” Obono-Obla said.
The former presidential aide on Public Property Reclamation said decentralizing control of solid minerals would allow states to generate more revenue, protect the environment and tackle illegal mining through locally driven frameworks.
He further recommended that the Cross River State Government convert the anti-illegal mining task force into a statutory agency by enacting a law through the state House of Assembly. According to him, this would provide the task force with the necessary legal backing and institutional strength to carry out its mandate effectively.
“If the government enacts a law giving legal status to this task force and with Prince Effiong Paul in charge, remarkable results will be achieved,” he said.
Chief Obono-Obla also urged the state government to conduct a comprehensive geological survey to identify mineral deposits across the state and issue certificates of occupancy only to duly licensed miners, in order to promote transparency and accountability.
He called for community mining to be encouraged, with certified local miners directly involved in exploration and production, thus ensuring that host communities benefit from their natural resources.
Obono-Obla, who once led the recovery of public assets by the federal government in Abuja, warned members of the task force to remain steadfast despite the challenges associated with their work.
“You are stepping on your toes, but be brave,” he advised. “I got into Abuja when I was recovering assets for Nigeria and they don’t like me. But I believe both the government and God will protect them.”
Other speakers at the event included the Federal Mining Officer, Eng. Ayelabola Bumi; Anti-Illegal Task Force Committee Chairman Prince Effiong Paul; representatives of Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu; and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who praised the committee for its efforts to curb illegal mining and pledged continued support for its operations.
Governor Otu established the Anti-Illegal Mining Committee to combat widespread illegal mining activities in Cross River State following the discovery of valuable minerals such as gold, aquamarine, tourmaline, amethyst, manganese and lithium.
Since then, the committee has partnered with security agencies and community leaders to restore order and safeguard the environment.