By Ali Rabiu Ali, Dutse
The Jigawa State Government has inaugurated an eight-member Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) to strengthen the development of solid minerals and promote responsible mining practices across the state.
Inaugurating the committee, the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim, said the initiative would help transform the state’s abundant mineral resources into value-added products capable of supporting the establishment of small, medium and large-scale industries.
Malam Bala said the establishment of MIREMCO was in line with Section 19 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA) 2007, which provides for the creation of such committees at the state level.
He explained that the committee would strengthen the state’s role in managing mining-related activities, protect statutory interests in land use, increase internally generated revenue through applicable surface rents and environmental levies, and promote cordial relationships between mining operators and host communities.
According to him, MIREMCO would serve as a platform for collaboration among stakeholders in the mining sector and advise the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and the Jigawa State Governor on issues relating to mineral resource exploitation.
The committee is also expected to oversee the implementation of the state’s revenue framework, including the collection of surface rents, environmental compliance fees, local haulage levies and other legitimate charges arising from sand dredging, quarrying and mineral extraction activities.
Malam Bala further said the committee would facilitate the negotiation and implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) between mining operators and host communities.
He noted that the agreements would promote peaceful coexistence, prevent conflicts and ensure that communities hosting mining activities benefit from the resources being exploited in their areas.
Another key responsibility of the committee, he said, would be to support the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining operators into legally recognised and taxable cooperatives.
He said the move would encourage responsible mining, improve regulation of the sector and increase its contribution to the state’s economy.
The committee is chaired by Engineer Abubakar Galadima Laya, who was nominated by Governor Umar A. Namadi and approved by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
Other members comprise representatives of the Ministry of Lands, the State Mines Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Office of the Surveyor-General, Local Government Councils, State Environmental Department and the Federal Ministry of Environment in Jigawa State.
The operationalisation of MIREMCO is expected to increase state revenue through a structured system for collecting legitimate surface rents, environmental remediation levies and haulage fees from mining and quarrying activities.
The government said the initiative would also strengthen environmental governance, improve relations between mining operators and host communities, encourage sustainable exploitation of mineral resources and increase internally generated revenue without infringing on the Federal Government’s statutory royalty rights.
Malam Bala reiterated the state government’s commitment to responsible and sustainable mineral resource development, environmental protection, improved welfare of host communities and maximisation of the economic benefits of Jigawa’s mineral resources.
Responding, the Chairman of MIREMCO, Engineer Abubakar Galadima Laya, expressed appreciation to Governor Umar A. Namadi for the opportunity to serve on the committee.
He assured the government that members would work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in them and contribute to the effective development and regulation of the state’s mineral resources.
