Irked by the rate of illegal minning activities going on across the state, Cross River legislators have adopted a resolution calling on the state government to float exploration and minning Companies to improve the resources of the State.
The House adopted the resolution following the motion moved by the Member representing Akamkpa II state constituency and Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Linus Bassey Etim.
The Akamkpa representative stated that though the Federal Government reserves the right for minning mineral resources, corporate bodies can approach the Federal Ministry of Minning and Natural Resources for licences. He added that the State Government should use the opportunity and float companies which will engage in minning activities across the State.
Etim enumerated several mineral resources found in Cross River State to include: Diamond, Gold, Barite, Tourmaline amongst others which can be properly tapped to boost economic activities, employment opportunities and revenue generation.
“the rate of illegal minning in our State is alarming, therefore the State needs to make efforts to obtain the necessary licence to engage in the business legally. more than 10 minning companies are operating in Akamkpa. Illegal minners are catting away the State’s resources and their activities are destroying a our natural environment”, Etim stated.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Assembly Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem who described the motion as timely, stressed the degradable effects of illegal minning on the ecosystem of the State.
The lawmakers, in their separate contributions decried the rate of illegal mining activities going on across the State. They Expressed sadness that the state’s natural resources are being cated away leaving the State devastated.
They expressed hope that the Government will harness these natural resources for the improvements of the living standards of the citizens.