Imo Assembly To Partner With Solid Minerals Ministry Against illegal Mining

Imo Assembly to partner with Solid Minerals Ministry against illegal mining

By Chioma Ifeanyi

The Imo State House of Assembly has pledged its support to the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals to put an end to illegal mining activities in the state.

It also promised to help strengthen the sector and enhance its proficiency through legislative support.

The commitment was made when the Assembly’s Committee on Commerce and Industry interfaced with officials of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, led by the commissioner of the ministry, Ernest Ibejiako.

During the interaction that took place at the Assembly complex, the chairman of the Committee on Commerce and Industry, and member representing Ikeduru state constituency, Johnleoba Iheoha, explained the need to reposition the sector to meet the demands of time, in line with the vision of the state government.

Iheoha, while appreciating the officials of the ministry for the visit, asserted that their invitation was part of the oversight function of the committee as empowered by the constitution.

“The Nigerian Constitution empowered the committee to do oversight on ministries, departments and agencies of government and to ensure the executive and judiciary arms of government perform their duty at the optimal level,” he stated.

He noted that the industry, mines and solid mineral sector of the economy of the state if properly repositioned, would be a major revenue-spinning venture for the state government as it would create employment opportunities for millions of Imo citizens.

He assured the ministry that the committee would do all that was needed to support the sector in its fight to end illegal mining in the state.

The lawmaker further said that the reason for inviting the sector to appear before it is to brainstorm and get first-hand information on the activities of the ministry and its plans for foreign direct investment.

Addressing members of the committee, the commissioner of the ministry, Ernest Ibejiako, said the first directive he received from the governor was to make sure that all illegal mining sites were closed down.

He maintained that the activities of the illegal miners have devastated many plots of land that would have been put to profitable use.

According to him, over 45 plots of land have been devastated by illegal mining at Onitsha Road Industrial Layout. He avowed that the ministry is seriously clamping down on illegal miners and needs more legislative support.

Ibejiako informed the committee that the governor has concluded arrangements for the establishment of world-class industrial parks in each of the three zones.

On the issue of the construction of residential buildings at the Onitsha Road Industrial Layout, he said the state government, through the appropriate agency, will address the issue.

On some state-owned moribund industries, such as Standard Shoe Industry, Owerri, Ezinnachi clay industries, paper packaging industries, and the ceramic industry, the commissioner expressed high hopes that in no distant time, these industries would become viable once again.