Ekpang Glory | 5th September 2023
CALABAR – Two civil society organizations whose interest is in environmental protection and development, We the people and Development Concern (DEVCON) has called on the Federal Government to immediately withdraw the approval given to mining companies to carry out activities in Cross River State National Park as it activities negates existing laws and negatively impacts on the ecosystem.
In a press briefing recently held in Calabar, the ecology-focused Civil Society Organizations frowned at the activities of the mining company while calling on local to take ownership of their communities and engage in effective protection of the Park.
Ken Henshaw of We The People and Martin Egot of Development Concern who presided over the briefing lamented the threat such mining activities poses to the State after losing so much forest to loggers, stating that permitting mining activities will destroy the essence of conservation and risk of wild life hunting.
Their statement reads in part “The National Park Service Act (2006) unequivocally underscores as sanctuaries meant exclusively for the propagation, protection, and management of the vegetation and wildlife. Section 9 makes it an offense for any unauthorized person to go into the National Park without the permission of the Conservator General.
“One also wonders the extent to which the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, responsible for issuing mining rights, can rightfully supersede the jurisdiction of the Ministry responsible for environmental conservation.”
“Notably, Section 22 of the Act delineates the functions of Management Committees, reinforcing the exclusive dedication of national parks to the propagation, protection, and management of vegetation and wildlife. Section 29 clearly make an offence for any unauthorized person to go into the National Park without the permission of the Conservator General.
“Furthermore, Section 51 of the Act underscores the regulatory authority of the Service to establish management principles, conditions for entry and residence,
prohibitions of certain activities, and even the prohibition or control against cutting, or damaging vegetation. This provision bolsters the argument against any intrusion into the ecological sanctum of the national park, reinforcing the Act’s overarching intent of safeguarding the environment.
“Similarly, the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (2007) which serves as the key legislation on mineral exploration and exploitation in Nigeria also prohibits mining activities in the National Park. Section 3(1)(d) of the Mining Act explicitly bars mineral activities in areas under the purview of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments Act or the National Parks Service Act.
With these two compelling legislative instruments, each banning mining activities in the National Park, one wonders why mining is currently going on in the Cross River National Park. One also wonders the extent to which the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development responsible for issuing mining rights can rightfully supersede the jurisdiction of the Ministry vested with environmental conservation.
They explained that the purpose of the National Park Service Act is to ensure ecological preservation, a purpose that fundamentally contradicts any form of mining within its precincts.
“In the case of Abdulrasaq & Co Int’l Mining Limited and Vintage Mining and Exploration Limited, there is no evidence that the two companies were granted any permit to enter the National Park in line with Sections 30 and 51 of the National Park Service Act, talk less of mining in it,” they emphasized.
In view of the negative consequences the mining activities would have on the ecosystem, the environmental activists, therefore, they demanded the following
1. Immediate Withdrawal of the Mining Lease granted to Abdulrasag & Co Mining Limited and Vintage Mining and Exploration Limited within Cross River National Park.
2. Immediate vacation of mining sites as relevant security agencies should be deployed to vacate mining operatives from the mining sites
3. Environmental Impact Assessments should be conducted to ascertain the impact of their activities. This assessment will determine the extent of damage already caused by the mining activities and provide basics for appropriate remediation measures
4. Sanction Against Responsible Ministry.
5. Strengthening Legal Oversight and Community Engagement.
6. Review and Strengthen Regulations and Compensation and Remediation.
When contacted the Conservator of the Cross River State National Park, Mrs. Caroline Olori revealed that two companies have submitted mining licenses to the Park, with the mining area indicated as “within the National Park”.
She however added that the licenses have been reported to Abuja for onward revocation, insisting that the licenses violate the relevant laws on mining and the National Park, and may have been issued in error.
When contacted, the Chairman of Cross River State Mining Taskforce Committee, Engr. Ukam Ngwu, told our correspondent that the Committee was aware of the licenses granted to Abdulrasaq & Co Int’l Mining Limited and Vintage Mining and Exploration Limited to carryout mining activities in the state. He, however, stated that after one of the companies, Abdulrasaq & Co Int’l Mining Limited, discovered that it had encroached on the conserved area of the National Park, it stopped mining activities on the site.