By Kingsley Braide
Governor Douye Diri has inaugurated the Bayelsa State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee in line with section 19 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
The committee is to interface with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, on issues relating to the exploitation of mineral resources and its effects on the environment.
The Secretary to the State Government, Rt Hon. Friday Konbowei Benson performed the
inauguration on behalf of the governor on Friday in Yenagoa.
According to the Governor, the inauguration of the Committee is long overdue, noting that, it was slowed down due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He charged them to work as a team and double their efforts to ensure that all issues affecting the state as it concerns exploration of mineral resources and its effects on the environment are profiled, and transmitted to the Federal Government for adequate attention.
Gov. Diri further charged the Committee to look beyond oil, and identify other mineral deposits in the state for exploration, to boost the revenue base of the state.
The seven man Committee has the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr. Ebieri Jones, as Chairman, Mr. Arepade Eyebodonghana Mark, Representative of the State Ministry of Mineral Resources, and Engr. David Adou, Representative of the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources as members.
Other members are; Surv. Emiemu Clifford, Representative of State Surveyor-General’s Office, Mr. Owei Sam, Representative of the State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Aleibiri Amatari, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Engr. Peter Ndidi Ikebukwu, Federal Mines Officer.
Speaking on behalf of the Committee, the chairman and Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr. Ebieri Jones, thanked Gov. Diri, for giving them the privilege to serve the state in that capacity.
He assured that, the committee would work in line with the provisions of the mining Act, 2007, and all other relevant laws to ensure that whatever extraction and exploitation activities carried out would be something that accrues revenue to the Government and people of Bayelsa State.
