Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has directly linked illegal mining to the escalating insecurity in the state.
Speaking to journalists at Government House in Jos as he presented an account of his two-year stewardship, Governor Mutfwang explained that this connection was the primary reason behind his Executive Order to suspend all mining activities.
Governor Mutfwang lamented that the state’s significant mineral deposits, which hold immense potential as a revenue source, have instead become a breeding ground for conflict.
He stated that bandits are exploiting these resources to fund their violent activities, unleashing chaos upon innocent citizens.
He highlighted a concerning trend where these bandits, often backed by sponsors who provide sophisticated weaponry, invade communities rich in mineral deposits, displace residents, and illegally seize control of mining operations.
Addressing critics who viewed his Executive Order as detrimental to small-scale businesses, Governor Mutfwang clarified that his administration’s goal is to effectively regulate the mining industry.
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This, he explained, is to ensure that legitimate miners are not exploited.
He acknowledged mining as a vital economic driver, capable of significantly benefiting both the state and investors if managed properly.
The governor reiterated that illegal mining remains a substantial challenge for Plateau State.
This informed his decision to sign the order temporarily suspending all mining activities, allowing a committee to develop a “workable template” to regulate the lucrative sector for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Governor Mutfwang also stressed that a component of the state’s insecurity is driven by “mineral attacks,” which often aim to displace communities to gain access to mineral deposits.
He vowed that his administration would not stand idly by and permit indigenous people to be driven from their ancestral lands.
