Taraba State Coalition of Civil Society Organizations has applauded Governor Agbu Kefas for signing an Executive Order suspending illegal mining activities in the State.
The State Chairman, Dr. Joseph Gimba made the commendation in an interview with Journalists at his office in Jalingo on Friday.
Dr. Gimba who is also the North-East Zonal Coordinator of Publish What You Pay (PWYP) advised that before lifting of the ban on the mining sector, the state government should ensure communities involved were engaged.
“Before lifting of that ban, we will like those communities that these activities are taking place to be engaged under what we refer to as “Community Development Agreement” where the community can constructively engage mining corporations or mining industry as regards what should be their demand to those industries, it shouldn’t be left like that”.
“We will partner with the government in so many ways to see to it that our communities in Taraba State get to understand what should be the content of the community development agreement so that people do not come to Taraba and then engage in illegal mining and get away with it,” Dr. Gimba said.
He further reminded the governor to stick to the age limit of 45 as one of the criteria for the appointment of Commissioners so as to be able to steer the ship of the present government.
“Whoever is going to come in as a Commissioner or Special Adviser should be somebody that has something to contribute to the government but not somebody that has something to take away from the government or somebody that can create disenchantment amongst the public.
“We pray that he succeeds, he should be a listening Governor and then he should allow his doors open for shares of ideas” Dr. emphasized.
The North-East Zonal Coordinator of Publish What You Pay (PWYP) and also the Taraba State Chairman of CSOs, Dr. Joseph Gimba, however, advised Governor Agbu Kefas to learn from the past administration to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
“He should get in touch with the grassroots where the problems lie rather than defending some people because of political interest and they will give him the wrong idea.
And let me touch again on the issue of education, the Coalition of the Civil Society in Taraba State together with one of its partners which is the Civil Service Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), we will do all that is possible to come up with a brief on how we intend to partner with the government on the issue of education in Taraba State,” Gimba assured.
He urged the people of the state to accord the present administration of Dr. Agbu Kefas the needed support to enable it to achieve its set goals of transforming Taraba State.
Recalled that on Friday, the 23rd of June 2923 the governor signed the executive order on the prohibition of illegal mining and mining activities in the state.
In his speech during the signing at the EXCO Chamber in Government House, Jalingo, the Governor said “Illegal mining, in particular, has become a cancer eating away at the very fabric of our society.
“It has led to the exploitation of our vulnerable communities, increased crime rates, and contributed to social unrest.
“The revenue that should have been channeled into public welfare and infrastructure development has been siphoned away, leaving our people in dire need.
“Therefore in the best interest of our state and its future generations, I am signing this executive order for the immediate suspension of all illegal mining and illegal mining activities in Taraba state,”
Sani Sulaiman
