FG, Cross River partner to sanitise mining activities, industry

2026-03-23 - 13:14

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Cross River State Government to standardise and sanitise mining operations across communities in the state. Operational Head of the NNRA, Mrs Ememobong Essien stated this in Calabar on Monday during a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr Effiom-Ekaha Otu. Essien said the partnership is targeted at strengthening safety and regulatory oversight in the extractive industry, with particular focus on monitoring Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) often encountered during mineral exploration. She explained that NORM requires specialised handling to mitigate health risks to workers and host communities. Her words :” The partnership aims to ensure that mining operations in Cross River adhere to international safety standards, protecting both the environment and the health of host communities. “Our mandate is to regulate all activities involving ionising radiation. The agency will deploy all available resources to enforce safe and standard practices. “We call for the Commissioner’s full cooperation to ensure the industry meets global benchmarks,” she said. She stressed the importance of close collaboration with the State Ministry of Mineral Resources to identify and manage radiological risks in the state’s growing solid minerals sector. On his part , Mr Otu reaffirmed the state government’s commitment under Governor Bassey Otu to sanitise the mining sector and curb unregulated practices. He assured the NNRA delegation of full cooperation, noting that protecting the ecosystem and people from hazardous substances and illegal mining remains a top priority. Otu said the state is committed to mandatory profiling of all mining entities for documentation, identification of operational status, and to promote peace and security in the sector. He added that only authorised operators would be permitted to function, in line with federal regulations and the Cross River State Executive Order No. 1 of 2024. The collaboration is expected to enhance regulatory enforcement, minimise environmental and health hazards, and foster sustainable development in Cross River’s mining industry.