By Solomon OKPO
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has inaugurated a high-powered committee to combat illegal mining activities across the State.
The inauguration, which took place on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo, came shortly before the State Executive Council meeting.
Governor Eno, who expressed concern over the growing incidence of illegal mining, particularly along the State’s coastal communities, said the committee was designed to be broad-based and all-encompassing to ensure effective oversight.
“The Ministry of Environment cannot do this alone. They need collaboration from all of us, and we must back it up with a law. If we do not checkmate this menace, there could be an influx of people that could constitute security threats to our State,” the Governor warned.
He stressed the importance of profiling miners operating within the State to ascertain the types of minerals being extracted and the beneficiaries of mining taxes, insisting that government would come down heavily on those found to be aiding illegal operations.
The Governor directed local government chairmen to take charge of their jurisdictions, noting that they are the “Chief Executive Officers” of their councils. He cautioned them against tolerating any form of illegality and urged prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
Citing a case in Ibeno where a company used purchased land as a hazardous waste dump, Governor Eno ordered the Commissioner for Lands to investigate and revoke all land acquired by oil and gas servicing firms without proper government approval.
The Governor further mandated the committee to commence work immediately and submit monthly reports of its activities.
The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, with membership drawn from key ministries and security agencies, including the Commissioners for Special Duties, Transport, Internal Security, Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner of Police, Honorary Special Adviser on Security, ALGON Chairman, and chairmen of local governments in coastal areas.
