Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has signed Executive Order No. 3 suspending all mining activities in the state.
According to the governor, the activities poses a great danger to the ecosystem, leading to the exploitation of vulnerable communities and increased crime rate, contributing to social unrest, and affecting the revenue generation of the state.
Describing illegal mining as a cancer that had eaten deep into the fabric of the state, the governor stressed that the unregulated extraction of minerals had led to deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, jeopardising agricultural activities, and loss of biodiversity.
He empowered law enforcement agencies to go after anyone found violating the order.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the need for immediate action to curb the rampant mining and illegal activities that have been wreaking havoc on our environment, our communities, and our economy.”
