The Plateau State government says the suspension placed on all mining activities in the state is to help it address some issues arising from illegal mining, insecurity and environmental concerns. ait.live takes a look at the increasing rate of illegal mining in the state and what must be done to possibly regulate the illegal activities.
The adverse effects of illegal mining in Plateau State are there for all to see, and over the years, efforts by past governments to sanitize the mining sector in the state have yielded little or no results. However, the Plateau State government has placed a suspension on all forms of mining activities in the state.
Major players in the industry are taking the news with cautious optimism, weighing the pros and cons of the move.
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But the government is allaying fears, stating that the suspension is aimed at stabilizing the very vital sector, making it a win-win for all.
But even with the suspension, investigations carried out revealed that mining is still going on in some areas unabated, a situation the enforcement
agencies have assured will be checked.
With the move to diversify the economy and the quest for states to be less reliant on the federal purse, the move by the Plateau state government to sanitize the mining sector to get a better chunk for it and its citizens is a good one, but how that will be achieved is another story altogether.
( Editor : Paul Akhagbemhe )
