Calabar: The Federal Government has expressed its resolve to collaborate with the Cross River Government to standardise and sanitise the mining sector. Mrs Ememobong Essien, the Operational Head of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), disclosed this during a visit to the Cross River Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr Effiom-Ekaha Otu.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Essien stated that the collaboration was critical and strategic to enhancing safety and oversight in the extractive industry. She emphasized that effective monitoring of mining operations was vital for the growth of the sector. Essien highlighted that Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials, often unearthed during mineral exploration, required specialized handling to prevent health risks.
Essien explained that the partnership would ensure that mining operations in Cross River adhere to international safety standards, protecting both the environment and the health of host communities. She noted that the NNRA’s mandate is to regulate all activities involving ionising radiation, and the agency would deploy all available resources to enforce safe and standard practices. She urged full cooperation from the state government to meet global benchmarks in the industry.
In response, the commissioner stated that the Gov. Bassey Otu-led government was committed to sanitising the mining sector. He assured the Federal Government of the state’s full cooperation in this initiative to ensure greater productivity. The commissioner emphasized the state’s priority to protect the ecosystem and human population from hazardous substances resulting from unregulated mining practices. He also assured the NNRA of the state’s commitment to the mandatory profiling of all mining entities to document and identify their operational status for peace and security within the sector.