NAN-H-42
Minerals
Lafia, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Government said on Thursday it would set up a task force that would control the mineral deposits in the state toward boosting its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Mr Gabriel Aka’aka, the state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, told reporters in Lafia that the task force would deal with the issue of illegal mining of minerals and other unlawful acts in the sector.
“Since I assumed office as commissioner, I have been trying my best to improve on the state’s internally generated revenue in order to enhance standard of living in the state.
“We are planning to re-organise all illegal miners into artisan miners/cooperative societies so that they can benefit from the Federal Government’s N30 billion mining fund.
“We have also re-introduced uniform for our forestry officers, who will be inaugurated next week for proper identification of the officers.
“All these measures are to ensure sanity in the sector and to boost the state’s internally generated revenue,” he said.
Aka’aka said the ministry had taken proactive steps to be in charge of mining activities in the state and to synchronize them for the benefit of all stakeholders in the sector.
He said the ministry generated about 1million naira in the last one week.
The commissioner charged the staff to ensure quality service delivery for the overall development of the state. (NAN)
BAB/EMO/YEE
Edited by EJike Obeta/Emmanuel Yashim
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