By BANNERNEWS Reporter
No fewer than 15 persons have been constituted into a committee to monitor mining activities in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The committee was set up amid rising concerns over large-scale illegal mining by private individuals in the area, a development that has reportedly led to tensions and occasional violence in some communities.
In recent times, groups of foreign nationals were said to have entered the communities to engage in mining activities before being intercepted and repatriated by state agencies.
Inaugurating the committee on behalf of the Yakurr Council Chairman, Yibala Inyang, the Secretary of the Local Government, Hon. Sampson Ijo Obol, said the move was aimed at restoring order and maintaining a conducive mining environment across Yakurr communities.
Obol noted that the constitution of the committee aligned with the chairman’s commitment to safeguarding community peace while ensuring that mining activities comply with laid-down regulations.
He charged members to carry out their assignment diligently and strictly in line with the terms of reference guiding their appointment.
The council secretary further urged the committee to discharge its duties without fear or favour, stressing that their work was crucial to the overall development and wellbeing of mining communities in the local government.
Also speaking, the Director of General Services and Administration, Mr. Innocent Okey Otio, and the Director of Finance and Supply, Mr. Effiom Ubi, admonished the committee to operate transparently and remain accountable to both the local government authority and the people of Yakurr.
Responding on behalf of the members, the committee chairman, Mr. Prince Eno Ese, thanked the Yakurr council chairman and the council secretary for the confidence reposed in them, pledging the committee’s readiness to work in strict conformity with its mandate.
Members of the committee include Mr. Etom Daniel Williams (Secretary), Mr. Godwin Mbang Itam, Mr. Akpan Godwin Ayitu, Mr. E. Exo Ofem, Mr. Eno Monday Arong, Mr. Friday Paul Ekpo, Mr. Aloysius Okeworo Andei, Mr. Obong Uden Ekem, Mr. Shedrach Etom Akong, Mr. Edet Ekpo Arong, Mr. Akpama Amos Arong and Mr. Williams Ifork Oyira.
The highlight of the event was the administration of the oath of office on the chairman, secretary and members of the committee. The ceremony was attended by the Special Adviser to the Council Chairman on Mining, Mr. Liberty, and the State Special Consultant on Illegal Mining.
