Emulate Cross River State Governor on Checks Against Illegal, unregulated Mining – HOMEF Tells Nigerian Governors
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called on Nigerian Governors governors to emulate Senator Prince Bassey Edet, the Governor of Cross River State, in saving the fragile and already threatened ecosystems across Nigeria through the halt of mining activities for a review.
HOMEF made the call in a press release made available to newsmen recently.
The organisation commended that decision of the Cross Rivers State government to halt mining activities in its domain following unwholesome practices of artisanal and industrial miners in the State.
The Executive Director of Health Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), D Nnimmo Bassey, commended Cross River State for taking a step to protect the people and environment, noting that it is ecologically harmful to allow mining in the very sensitive environment of the state.
He noted that the rate of unregulated mining activities in the otherwise protected forests of Cross River State has been very worrisome and posed threats that have repercussions beyond the boundaries of the state and the nation.
Dr.Bassey further urged the governor to prioritize and sustain the policy, bearing in mind that mining in community forests and other biodiversity hotspots is highly harmful and only enriches and profits the individuals and corporations involved in the nefarious activities.
Shehu Akowe, HOMEF’s project lead on mining, decried the rampant uncontrolled mining in the country and called on the government to build on the momentum by implementing an all-inclusive reform in the mining sector with the interest of communities as its centerpiece.
He stressed that the reform should prioritize environmental and socioeconomic impact assessments for environmental sustainability.