Gombe state Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approved the constitution and inauguration of Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee (MREMCO) as well as a joint Special surveillance Taskforce ( SMSTF) against illegal mining and relevant activities.
According to a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Engr. Sanusi Jibrin Gwani is the Chairman of MREMCO while Col. Sani Adamu Depsia ( Rtd) Special Adviser on Security matters (Rtd) is to chair SMSTF.
Members of the MREMCO Committee include Alh. Shehu Ibrahim Madugu, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; Mr Bitrus Bako Environment Officer, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; Yambiu Idris Buba, Director, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; Surv. Zakari Abubakar Difa, Ag. Surveyor-General, Ministry of Lands.
Other members are: Mr Absolom Baba H.O.D Sanitation/Chief Environmental Health, GOSEPA: Ishaku Kure
Deputy Director, Ministry of Environment; Mr Yunusa Mele, Deputy Director, Ministry of Agriculture; Mr Adamu Emmanuel Yakubu, Senior Forest Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Mr Gregory Achi will serve as Secretary.
Terms of Reference for MREMCO Committee are:
- Consider and advise the Minister on issues affecting returns of necessary reports affecting grants of mining titles,
- Consider issues affecting compensation and make necessary recommendation to the Minister; Discuss, consider and advise the Minister on the matters affecting pollution and degradation of any land on which any mineral is being extracted
- Consider such other matters relating to mineral resources development within the state as the Minister may, from time to time, refer to the Committee.
- Advice the Department established in accordance with the provision of the NMMA, 2007 for the supervision of Mineral Exploration and implementation of Social and Environmental Protection measures.
- Advice the Local Government Areas and Communities on the implementation of programmes for environmental protection and sustainable management of Mineral Resources.
- Advice and other necessary assistance required by holders of Mineral Titles in their interaction with State Governments, Local Government Councils, Communities, Civil Institutions and other stakeholders.
- Advice the Minister in resolving conflicts between stakeholders; and Advice the Minister in respect of matters connected with the implementation of NMMA, 2007.
Members of the Taskforce include:
Hon Commissioner Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Representative of Ministry of Mineral Resources; Representative of Ministry of Lands, Representative of Ministry of Environment, Representative of Ministry of the Surveyor General; Representative of Federal Ministry of Environment, Representative of the affected Local Governments and Representative of Commissioner of Police.
Other members are: Representative of 301 FAR; Representative of Nigeria Immigration services; Representative of DSS; Representative of EFCC; Representative of NSCDC; Representative of Security Agencies; The State’s Federal Mines Officer will serve as Secretary I and Representative of State’s Mine Inspectorate will serve as Secretary II
Terms of Reference of the Committee are:
- Develop the inventory of flashpoints of artisanal and small scale mining sites and mineral processing points across the state.
- Undertake several unscheduled visits to all the flashpoints with a view to combating the illegal mining activities.
- Make arrest and prosecute all illegal mining operators in accordance with the provision of the Nigeria Mineral and Mining Act, 2007 and its regulation 2001.
- To develop a strategy to control/monitor the export of mineral commodities from the country.
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