By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
State Chairman Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee, MIREMCO, Barr Fidelis Mnyim has assured Benue people that the committee would reposition mineral activities in the state for the benefit of the people.
Interacting with journalists after the official inauguration of a desk office of the committee and commencement of activities in Makurdi, the chairman of MIREMCO who is also the Benue State Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, explained that with the establishment of MIREMCO was created under the Mineral and Mining Act of 2009, section 19.
He said the states including Benue that have about 38 mineral resources out of the 44 found across the country, but has not been benefiting its 13 per cent derivative fund from the federal government would start benefiting the proceeds.
According to Barr Mnyim, MIREMCO would serve as advisory committee to the honorable minister of solid minerals, synergize between the federal and state government as well as the host communities where such minerals are deposited to see how the mineral resources are properly developed and harnessed.
He said it would be the duty of MIREMCO to ensure and take deliberate steps to ensure that the IGR of the state is improved through activities of mineral explorers for the benefit of the state and host communities where such minerals are found, lamenting that in the past the Benue State government, despite huge deposit of minerals in the state was only receiving about N30 million as royalties from the federal government as revenue on minerals.
He added that the committee has come to stay with establishment of a desk office in Makurdi, appealed to those willing to carryout mining activities in the state to approach the desk officer and register.