By Adaobi Nsofor
In line with the Anambra State Government’s commitment in revamping and rebuilding the mining sector of the State, the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited ( ANSMDCL), has held a roundtable/stakeholders meeting on ethical issues in mining at the Government House, Awka.
The meeting, which had in attendance all miners in the State, deliberated on the ethical issues affecting them and the way forward.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo said that his administration is keen in making the mining sector more safe, efficient and coordinated for miners to carry out their activities while safeguarding the environment.
He noted that the State already is suffering environmental damages and erosion on a scale that is not seen anywhere else, which in turn affects the livelihood of the communities affected.
Gov. Soludo lamented the extent at which these illegal mining has damaged our land and how the next successive generation will have a healthy environment to live in since we have a population of 8.5 million and is expected to grow to about 12-14 million in just about 5 to 10 years.
He said that both local and international miners who are operating in Anambra State do not have on-site management regulatory, frequent visit on a weekly, monthly basis to checkmate them and the impact they are creating in the society.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Industry, Mr Christian Udechukwu, assured that by the time these hurdles are over, a law would be created that will regulate the mining activities in the state and every single state in Nigeria will follow the footsteps of Anambra as regards mining.
The Chairman, Anambra State Mining Reform Committee and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited, Prof.Charles Ononuju Ofoegbu emphasised that the committee is fast-tracking the process of documentation, registration and verification to know who is who in the mining sector, where and what they are mining and payment of tax that is due to the Government on account of their mining.
Prof. Ofoegbu noted that all payments should be done in a regulated manner to a regulated treasury account, and after documentation and verification of the qualified miners, it will be presented to Mr Governor who will give a go ahead order for the committee to issue a certificate to the miners.
At the Federal level, Prof. Ofoegbu decries the extent at which miners escape from paying due royalty to the Federal Government from which Anambra State gets 13 per cent that helps the Governor to work for the benefit of Ndi Anambra.
He assured that the reform committee is determined to collect the 13 per cent of the royalty that is due for the State, reminding the miners of the need for Coperate Social Responsibility to the community they are mining in.
One of the keynote speakers, Prof. T K S Abam in his speech titled “Mining International Best and Ethical Practices”, said that the mining sector contributes to the sustainable development goals by catalyzing economic growth and development, creating more resilient infrastructure as well as combating climate change and its impacts.
He stressed that while the journey toward ethical mining requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, mining companies, governments, investors, communities and consumers, these groups must work together to foster practises prioritising the planet and its people.
Prof. Abam also emphasised that environmetal effects of mining can occur at local, regional and global scales through direct and indirect mining practises, listing copper, nickel, aluminium, lithium, iron ore, others as essential raw materials to support sustainable infrastructure and cities.
Another keynote speaker, Prof. Anthony Nnedum, who spoke on Psychological taxanomy of abnormal miners perpetuating illegal mining and undermining environmental ethical values in Anambra State, emphasised that it provides a nuanced understanding of the different motivations and behaviors that contribute to environmental degradation and erosion of ethical values.
In addressing the root causes of illegal mining and strengthening regulatory frameworks, Prof. Nnedum said that the State can protect its environment, enhance development of its solid mineral sector and uphold the ethical values that are essential for long term sustainability.
He grouped these abnormal miners as opportunistic explioters, the defiant rebel, the ignorant actor, the exploitative leader and the desperate survivors.
The third speaker, Prof. Kingsley Nwozor, noted that ethical issues in mining means providing a safe, secure, cost effective, humane and environmentally friendly approach in mining.
While focusing on sustainability development goals, Prof. Nwozor outlined the way forward to these mining issues which includes, community engagement, social investment, capacity building, site monitoring, clear and enabling framework, collaboration of Government, mining companies and communities.
Adaobi is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State