Lafia: The Nasarawa State Government has urged miners operating across the state to adopt responsible and sustainable mining practices to protect the environment and ensure long-term economic benefits. The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Margaret Elayo, made the call during a press briefing in Lafia, the state capital.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is taking decisive steps to promote responsible mining, emphasizing the need for operators to comply with environmental laws and standards. Princess Elayo noted that while Nasarawa State is endowed with vast mineral resources that have boosted its economic growth, unregulated and unsafe mining activities continue to threaten the environment.
The Ministry will soon commence a state-wide environmental inspection and monitoring exercise across all mining sites. This initiative is designed not to intimidate or punish, but to guide operators and ensure compliance with best environmental practices, the Commissioner said.
She urged miners and community leaders to cooperate with government monitoring teams, adopt eco-friendly methods, and support efforts to restore degraded lands and protect water sources. The wealth of Nasarawa lies not only in the minerals beneath our ground, but in the wellbeing of our people and the preservation of our environment. Together, we can build a state where economic development and environmental protection advance hand in hand, she said.