Former presidential aide and legal adviser to the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce 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 found within the territories of the states, and the lands themselves belong to the state governments. The Federal Government should hands off and allow states to take direct responsibility for managing their mineral resources,’ Obono-Obla stated.
The former Presidential aide on Public Property Recovery said that decentralizing control of solid minerals would empower 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 should convert the Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce into a statutory agency by enacting a law through the State House of Assembly. According to him, this would provide the taskforce 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 taskforce and with Prince Effiong Paul in charge-it will achieve remarkable results,’ he said.
Chief Obono-Obla also urged the state government to conduct a comprehensive geological survey to identify mineral deposits across the state and to issue Certificates of Occupancy only to duly licensed miners, in order to promote transparency and accountability.
He called for the encouragement of community-based mining, where certified local miners participate directly in exploration and production, thereby ensuring that host communities benefit from their natural resources.
Obono-Obla, who once led the Federal Government’s recovery of public assets in Abuja, cautioned members of the taskforce to remain steadfast despite the challenges associated with their work.
‘You are stepping on toes, but be courageous,’ he advised. ‘I stepped on toes in Abuja when I was recovering assets for Nigeria, and they did not like me. But I believe that both government and God will protect you.’
Other speakers at the event included Federal Mining Officer, Engr. Ayelabola Bumi; Chairman of the Anti-Illegal Taskforce Committee, Prince Effiong Paul; representatives of Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu; and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, all of whom commended the committee for its efforts in curbing illegal mining and pledged continued support for its operations.
The Anti-Illegal Mining Committee was established by Governor Otu 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.