By Justin Tyopuusu
Worried over the height of impunity and the unprecedented economic sabotage going on at the different mining sites and the deep forests in Taraba State, an economist and resident of Wukari, in the state, Mr. Samuel Adamu has estimated that the quantity of metals and minerals alongside other resources being illegally taken out of the state could fund Nigeria’s yearly budget.
Therefore, Adamu urged the authorities concerned to ensure that the activities of loggers and miners are put in check.
He stated, “What I will say from a professional point of view is that people were allowed to operate with impunity for too long. Mining in Taraba, for instance, is an all-comers affair. Once you have a digger and shovel, you are a miner and could start digging anyplace and anywhere to prospect for whatever you strongly think you can get.
“Because of the nauseating levels of poverty in the state, it is very easy to recruit even minors to do the dirty job and so the people who are mostly outside the state and even foreigners have always had a field day digging up the state.
“We are talking about gold, sapphire tourmaline, and several other treasured mineral resources with precious stones taken out in very large quantities. If these mining activities were properly streamlined and the state government is harnessing everything orderly, I am sure Taraba would have made enough money to fund Nigeria’s budget for a year, in the last decade or thereabouts,” Adamu declared to Arewa PUNCH.
Aside the economic losses, there are also heightened fears that terrorists and bandits are beginning to eye Taraba State as their next possible point for their gory activities.
These fears are accentuated by the illegal felling and trading of ‘Rosewood’, ‘Sapphire’ gemstones in large quantities in the state by unauthorised and unlicensed miners, Arewa PUNCH reports.
According to Wikipedia, Sapphire is
a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, cobalt, lead, chromium, vanadium, magnesium, boron, and silicon.
On the other hand, rosewood is used to make expensive antique-style furniture. It is very popular in China, where it is known as “hongmu,” or “red wood,” such that some 90 per cent of the world’s exports end up there.
Rosewood is a species traditionally and culturally valued by the Chinese, so there’s almost an insatiable demand there. It is found mostly in Southeast Asia.
Following the strong interest in the state’s rare metals and minerals, areas such as Gashaka, Sardauna, Ussa, Takum, and several others, have been identified as choice locations for the illegal miners who have operated unchallenged for several years in the state, according to Arewa PUNCH findings.
More investigations also reveal that forest reserves have also been brutally assaulted as a result of the craving for rosewood and other timber in the state, a situation which has turned whole forests into open fields marked with tree stumps, striking a reminder of the devastating effect of ravaging deforestation.
Stakeholders say these uncontrolled activities have led to the looming fears of the imminent advancement of terrorists and bandits in the state.
Gen. Jeremiah Faransa, Chairman, Special Task Force on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Deforestation Prohibition in Taraba State, told Arewa PUNCH that the unwholesome activities of these miners, loggers, must be checked to avoid what could snowball into terrorism such as being experienced in Zamfara State.
Faransa noted that the illegal felling and trading of the Rosewood and Sapphire in Taraba have depleted the fortunes of the state.
He disclosed, “We have realised over N80 million from illegal felling of rosewood popularly called Madrid within just one month of our operation.
“We have also confiscated concealed blue Sapphire worth over N2 billion, weighing 22.373 kg,” he said.
According to him, the disclosure is an indication of the billions of naira that leaves the state every month without the state benefiting from it.
“100 persons have so far been prosecuted by the mobile court of the task force,” he informed Arewa PUNCH while further explaining efforts being made to put a stop to the unwholesome trade, adding also that, “this goes to show that billions of Naira leave the state monthly without the state benefiting anything.”
Without mincing words, Faransa pointed out that the activities of illegal miners have caused irreversible damage to the environment in most parts of the state.
He insisted that the miners operating in the state are “notorious” for not complying with set rules guiding mining and have caused damage to so many areas, adding that some the places are no longer usable either for farming or other activities.
“What we have seen in the field is terrifying. For instance, miners have excavated Akwana on both sides such that if there are any security threats, the people will be at extreme risk because there is no escape route. We have to correct this trend because those miners are not from here and have no issues destroying the land just to get what they want and leave.
“The situation is similar to that of the Ogoni land which is destroyed and Zamfara where mining activities have created insecurity at an unbearable level.
“So, we insist that It is either that the right thing is done or the battle line is drawn. We are not stopping investors in any sector, but the due process must be followed to ensure environmental protection and people’s safety.
“You are supposed to refill the land for up to 80 per cent after excavation, but this is not followed. Community development is also not done, contrary to the set guidelines. This is our state. What is the state benefiting from these activities?
“Billions of naira have been taken out of the state with nothing accruing to the state. This must stop. We must make sure that things are done right. There won’t be business as usual.
“Most of the children who are supposed to be in school are turned into miners because they offer cheap labour. The risk is that we are unconsciously grooming criminals as we have seen in other parts of the country. Taraba State is the home of mineral resources. There is nothing you are looking for that you can not find in Taraba. Most homes are sitting on huge treasures.
“I was in Gashaka and met with the company, and we went round. The terrain inhibited us from going to certain areas. Most mining sites are inaccessible. The game reserve is no longer there. It is gone. It is taken over by farming and mining activities. It is now living on lost glory.
“In Mayo Sina, the company continued with its activities, despite the order from the state government. We caught the company still excavating. So we arrested them and recovered over 32, 000kg of Blue Sapphire. While most companies complied, some felt they were too powerful to be disturbed,” he said.
Yunusa Ali, a resident of Akwana in the Wukari Local Government Area of the state, said, “The people came here that they were from the Federal Government and they came with security men that were guarding them. None of us could say anything. If you challenge them, the security people will beat you and leave you under the sun for days.
“I understand that they told some of our leaders that they would build schools and do other things for the community, but they didn’t do anything. They have destroyed our lands completely. We worry constantly for our children who would always want to go and play at some of the abandoned sites. They might get killed if they fall. The gorges are very deep and dangerous. “
Meanwhile, Arewa PUNCH recalls that Governor Kefas has been emphatic that mining must follow set rules and best practices by licensed professionals. He has insisted that the felling of trees must be followed by deliberate planning of more trees for sustainability and preservation of the environment.
While the Faranca-led task force has been able to put a check on the activities of miners and loggers to some extent, the concern is that Taraba State is vast and hard to traverse due to its topography and other factors. Insecurity is another challenge, while poverty has driven so many people to a point that they are willing to do anything just to keep alive.
Speaking on the efforts of government in changing the narrative and attracting direct foreign investment to the state, Governor Kefas’ Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Emmanuel Bello, said the efforts of the Governor in attracting foreign direct investment is yielding positive results.
Bello told Arewa PUNCH that the Governor is unarguably the most outstanding Governor in terms of engagements with foreign missions in Nigeria to attract foreign investment.
“The Governor has signed an MoU with the Czech Republic in the area of agricultural development and mechanisation. Today, we have a German company that is building hospitals in Taraba.
“In the area of education, the state government is partnering the Republic of Finland in her free education policy, using the Finland model, which is one of the best in the world.
“The result of these engagements might be slow, but we are building bridges for long-lasting partnership that will attract investment in Agriculture, Education, Health, Energy Development, and Tourism among others,” he said.(punch)
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