By Ogenyi Ogenyi Uyo
The president Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) Mrs Rose Ndong has said that the Frgsederal Government has corpmmenced the process of reviewing extieant mining laws in the country.
Ndong told a press conference in Uyo on Friday that the review of the laws which has been in existence since 2007 would give government more control over mining activities and reduce the incidence of illegal mining in the country.
According to the president , the review of the mining laws spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Mining would provide and strengthen existing legal framework to check mining activties across all the states in Nigeria
The press conference was ahead of the council meeting of Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) scheduled to hold in Uyo from this weekend.
The reviews she said has also become necessary because of emerging trends in the industry adding that mining licence would remain the exclusive reserve of the FG.
” We can not encourage states governments to issue mining license to companies. For now the federal government is vested with such power but we are expecting that the federal government would review those laws to tackle illegal mining across Nigeria “
The conference, Ndong said would address emerging realities in Geosciences and mining sectors of the economy.
“As a nation richly endowed with natural resources, Nigeria must adopt innovative, efficient, and sustainable approaches in managing these resources, while also building resilient infrastructure that can support long-term economic growth and environmyental stability”. She explained.
The president said the theme of the conference, ” Optimizing Efficiency, Sustainability and Resilience in Natural Resources Management and Infrastructure Development” would also have sub themes of the conference would include Maximizing Benefits of Interdisciplinary Approaches to Energy and Mineral Development geosciences and Flood Control ,
Others include Geospatial Analysis and Remote Sensing in Mineral Exploration and Extraction, Current Trends in Geoscientific Discovery and Innovation and Role of Geosciences in the Construction Industry
Governor Umo Eno and other international dignitaries she said would grace the occasion while participants would visit Geosciences and mining sites in the state.
“These had been selected to demonstrate the strong linkage between geo-tourism and geoeconomics.The ARISE Palm Resort represents a model of environmentally conscious tourism development.
“It showcases how natural landscape can be transformed into economic assets, promoting recreation, hospitality and sustainable land use.Ikot Ebom Itam Clay Deposit is of significant industrial importance with applications in ceramics, construction and manufacturing.” The president said.
Ndong listed the benefits of holding the conference in Akwa Ibom to include stimulating the state economy and opening of investments opportunities in the state .
“It will stimulate the local economy through increased patronage of hotels, transportation, and other services.
” it will also open up investment opportunities in the solid minerals, energy, and infrastructure sectors, promote the state’s rich geo tourism Trust potential and natural endowments to a global audience.” She explained.
