Politics
Stakeholders Reach Consensus On Sanitizing Imo Mining Sector As Commissioner Solicits Compliance
By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
The Commissioner for Industry Mines and Solid Minerals, Rt. Hon. Ernest Ibejiakor (Nwa Ndaa) on Thursday, 13th June, hosted a stakeholders meeting comprising officials from the ministry, miners and off takers in the state. The aim of the parley which held at the State Secretariat, Off Port-Harcourt, Owerri, was to sanitize and engineer progress in the Imo State mining sector following some uncomplimentary activities ravaging the sector.
Rt. Hon. Ibejiakor, who appreciated the participants’ attendance and support since assuming office, however, emphasized the importance of the meeting. “I have come to realize that a lot of challenges abound which must be tackled urgently if I must achieve the core mandates and responsibilities of my ministry. The success of our deliberations today no doubt will enable us to surmount present challenges facing mining sector and avail ourselves the opportunity to prosper and move forward to our collective benefit,” he said.
The Commissioner, stressed the importance of the sector to the ecological and environmental systems, but regretted that lack of compliance to mining regulations, conflicts among stakeholders, proliferation of mining routes and lack of proper accountability among other unethical practices have led to abysmal revenue generation to government as well as damages to the environment which called for the closure of some mining sites. He outlined the above, and solicited the corporation of all stakeholders.
Contributing, the Chairman of Miners Association of Nigeria, Imo State Chapter/South-East, Prince Ugochukwu Onyenwenwa, commended Hon. Ibejiakor for the meeting he described as timely in moving the sector forward. Meanwhile, he faulted the activities of revenue collectors as deviating from extant laws and regulations in the sector, and decried the huge loss of accruable revenues to the government because of fraudulent activities. He solicited total overhauling of the sector and promised the support of the association in getting things right.
Meanwhile, stakeholders after deliberating on critical issues affecting the ministry, unanimously agreed to work towards making the sector efficient and sustainable. The communique issued at the end of the parley outlined some of the objectives to be pursued to include: achieving harmony and cooperation among all the mining
stakeholders in the state.
It also highlighted the importance of stakeholders adhering strictly to the mining rules and regulations in the state. The communique also stated that for the reason of sustaining the ecosystems, all mining sites listed for closure shall be closed and the miners
involved be relocated to safer ecological/environmental zones. Similarly, proliferation of mining routes in the state must be curtailed.
To ensure accountability and improved revenue generation to the government, stakeholders at the meeting resolved to pursue periodic appraisal and audit of revenue collection performances in the state, while embarking on upward review of the revenue subheads of the ministry in keeping with current economic realities as approved and adopted.
Signed by stakeholders at the meeting, the communique clearly noted that any violation of the regulations, guidelines, directives and agreements in the Imo State Mining and Solid Minerals Sector would attract the weight
of the law, and called for cooperation of all involved towards achieving the desired sanity and progress in the ministry and loyalty to both the federal government and Imo State government on the issue.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO CENTENARIAN ALHAJI TANKO YAKASAI
I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion
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