The Director-General, Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, on Wednesday, assured the FCT Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters of the commitment of the Agency to address challenges associated with cadastre matters as it relates land administration in the FCT.
He said the synergy between the two agencies will ensure that conflicts between mineral titles and land titles in the FCT are eliminated.
He therefore pledged that the MCO will provide the FCTA with the cadastre map of the FCT in order to ensure collaborative regulation and coordination of mineral titles in relation to land administration in the FCT.
Nkom, who made this known during a visit of the delegation from the FCT Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters, noted that there is a need to collaboratively coordinate and regulate mineral resource management in the FCT, hence the collaboration between the agencies.
While saying that the collaboration will also streamline mining activities within the FCT, Nkom emphasized the importance of establishing strong synergy with the FCTA and other stakeholders toward realising set goals.
According to the Director-General, the partnership will ensure that both agencies operate in alignment regarding the administration of mineral titles and management of mineral resources in the FCT.
Nkom, who pointed out that the collaboration will also help to preserve the sanctity of the FCT by curbing unauthorized mining activities, expressed confidence that the initiative will not only enhance mineral resource management, but also boost investor confidence and attract foreign investments to the Nigerian Mining sector.
He stated: “The FCT itself will be able to streamline and ensure that . . . the FCT maintains its sanctity in terms of what it’s supposed to be, not to find mining pits here and there.”
“All these things we are doing is because of the government of President Bola Tinubu, with the seven-point agenda and repositioning the mining sector.”
He commended the Minister, saying: “The work that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake is doing in the sector is commendable,” stating that the minister gives the Agency every support it needs to maximise the realisation of its mandate.
Earlier, the Director of the FCT Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters, Obrike Chinyelu, described the partnership as critical to the effective oversight and coordination of mining activities in the FCT.
Obrike, who is a member of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), recalled the laudable role played by Nkom while he served as 30th President of the NMGS.
She assured the Director-General of the preparedness of the FCT Department of Solid Minerals to fulfil its role, saying: “We are here to take off and do what we are supposed to do.”
“We believe that we are going to get a lot of information from the MCO, and people believe that we have well-experienced people who have been driving this process for the Federation and FCT,” she emphasized.
Chinyelu explained that the FCT Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters was established in November 2022 to moderate and harmonize mining activities in the territory.
She said before she assumed office, the department had been awaiting the Minister of the FCT’s approval of its operational guidelines, a milestone that was achieved on March 26, 2025.
“We want to document and really know who and who are mining in FCT,” she said, adding that the mandate of the Department is to ensure that mining operators meet their obligations, such as community development agreements.
“The department aims to address complaints of encroachments and illegal mining activities, ensuring that mining operations are properly coordinated and documented.”
“Additionally, the MCO will work with the FCT Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters to streamline the licensing process, ensuring that all mining activities are properly licensed and compliant with regulations.”
“The collaboration also aims to promote ease of doing business in FCT, ensuring that mining operators can conduct their activities without unnecessary hurdles.
Chinyelu noted that the department is committed to driving the process, linking and communicating with other stakeholder departments, and coordinating activities.
