By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
The Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barr. Anthony Ifeanya has called on the Miners Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter to work in synergy with the state government in carrying out their mining activities.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new Executive Committee of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Anambra State chapter held in Awka, Barr. Ifeanya noted that Anambra State is the second in the least of land mass in Nigeria after Lagos State, hence the need to maximize the limited land and encouraged the association to take care of the environment.
Earlier, in an opening remark, one of the patrons, Chief Christian Mbaegbu welcomed the participants to the event and urged them to enjoy their stay in Anambra State.
The National President of Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Ayanleke in a keynote address described Miners Association of Nigeria as a responsible association that collaborates with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and all its agencies to drive policies and programs to harness the mineral potentials of the country.
Mr. Ayanleke reminded the new chapter executive committee that the major objective of the association is to partner and collaborate with all agencies of government at all levels and all stakeholders in the Nigerian Solid Minerals value-chain to formulate and implement policies and programs that will ensure appropriate transfer of socio-economic benefits to the government, the host communities and the investors.
He urged the new executives to organise sensitisation programs to educate their members to ensure strict compliance to the legal and regulatory frameworks in carrying out their operations while adhering to health and safety measures in mining corridors as well as maintenance of cordial relationships with their host communities.
In his goodwill message, the outgoing Federal Mines Officer, Engr. Henry Bolarinwa appreciated the stakeholders in the Anambra State Petroleum Industry, the Ministry of Environment, the traditional institutions and the Miners themselves for a harmonious working environment he experienced in the State and urged them to see the association as a vehicle for promoting safety and excellence in the mining industry.
While congratulating the new executive committee, he also called on the new Federal Mines Officer, Engr. Edet Anthony Oku to advance the mining sector in the state, and appealed to the stakeholders to extend the same hand of fellowship to him.
Other speakers, including the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant Maku Olatunde, and the MD, Anambra State Solid Minerals, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, among others, harped on the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of both the individuals and the environment.
The event climaxed with the inauguration of the new State Executive Committee by the National Secretary of the Association, Mr. Sulaiman Liman.
In his acceptance speech, the State Chairman, Miners Association of Nigeria, Sir Damian Onyekachi thanked Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo; the outgoing Federal Mines Officer, Engr. Henry Bolarinwa and HRM, Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II of Awka among others for their collective efforts in resuscitating the hitherto moribund Mines Association in Anambra State.
He described mining as a cornerstone for development, job creation, infrastructural development and sustainable livelihood for many.
Commenting, the PRO, Mines Association of Nigeria, Anambra State chapter, Barr. Anthony Udoji Onuora noted that with the official inauguration of the executive committee, mining in Anambra will henceforth be better regulated and controlled as defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted according to the provisions of the Mining Act 2007.
The event also featured administration of oath, presentation of certificates, inauguration of the Task Force by the new Executive committee.
