The Chairman, Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee, Kogi State Chapter, Hajiya Hassiat Ozavize Suleiman has assured stakeholders in the Mining Sector of the continuous commitment of her Committee to the development of the sector by delivering on its mandate.
She gave the assurance on Thursday at a workshop organised by the Mines Environmental Compliance (MEC) Department of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development themed “Sensitization program for mineral title holders in Kogi State”.
Hajia Hassiat in her opening remarks, congratulated Dr. Vivian Okono on her appointment as the new director of MEC Department. She stated that the Ministry and the Solid Minerals sector as a whole is headed for greatness because women always strive to leave positive legacies when entrusted with a position of service.
A statement from Kogi MIREMCO, signed by Maymunah Zubair, said the Chairman highlighted the functions of MIREMCO and enumerated milestones the committee has recorded, including resolution of conflicts among several host communities and Mining Operators in the state, as well as supervision of Community Development Agreements (CDA) signings.
Participants at the workshop were intimated on the myriad environmental issues which stem from mining activities, including the differences between Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Audit (EA), as well as the procedure for carrying them out.
The legal injunction on signing comprehensive and acceptable CDA was also discussed.
The session was interactive, and participants were able to get clarifications and answers to their queries.
The program which held at the Conference Hall of Idrinana Hotels in Lokoja was also attended by Barrister N.C Odili, the Director of Legal Services of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, representatives of the Federal Mines Officer in Kogi State, Commissioner of the Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Mining Operators and other stakeholders in the sector.
