The Enugu State Government has announced plans to regulate mining operations for environmental safety and development of the mining sector.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals and Mining, Samuel Okoro, disclosed this in Enugu during the inaugural meeting of the Enugu State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).
The Federal Government and the Enugu State Government had, in May, agreed to set up the MIREMCO to tackle illegal mining and monitor mining companies’ compliance with environmental standards.
Presenting a ‘4-Point Agenda for Sustainable Development in Enugu State Mineral Sector’, Okoro, who is the chairman of the committee, said it was anchored on productivity, revenue generation, environmental management and safety.
He said over 90 percent of the titles from all mineral classes were either inactive or dormant.
“The issue of environmental protection and preservation is very important to us. Our measures will include robust water and air management approaches. Firstly, every mining company in the State must have a certified environmental expert on their team.
“They must present EPRP, and EIA, implement adequate Environmental Management Systems in place, and continually provide us with the assessment report of their operation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has inaugurated the newly reconstituted Enugu State Judicial Service Commission and the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
The State Judicial Commission, which has the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Ozoemena Afojulu, as the chairman, also has the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kingsley Udeh; and the President of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Chibueze Nnamani. Others are Justice Reuben Onuora (rtd.), Prof. Andrew Chukwumerie, SAN, Hon. Gabriel Agbo, and Dr Udechukwu Ezeh.
The seven-member Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy has the state’s Attorney General as the statutory chairman, and Barr Seth Nwokolo as secretary, while Dr Rita Emeh as member. The Nigeria Correctional Service, Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), and the Catholic Institute for Development Justice and Peace (CIDJAP) also have a representative each.
Inaugurating members of the Judicial Service Commission at the Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday, Governor Mbah said their responsibilities were essentially to ensure the welfare and oversee the employment of judicial officers, reminding them that the state needed a functional judicial system to attract investments.
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