The Director-General of Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Obadiah
Nkom, affirms the office is committed to bringing more foreign investments into the sector to generate funds in the country.
Nkom revealed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on June 22, 2023.
He said, the effort to bring more foreign investments would improve development as well as create job opportunities for youths in the country.
“No matter how the mining cadastre is developed, it must be attractive enough to bring in foreign investors.
“These are aimed at improving the mining sector, the economy and creating job opportunities for the youths and Nigerians at large,” he asserted.
Nkom stated that there was a mandate in the mining cadastre that allows the agency to issue licenses to people.
On his part, as soon as licenses are issued to stakeholders, the license inspectorate would monitor the activities to ensure efficient productions, royalties, safety of health of people and environment.
Nkom said the agency is working toward ensuring transparency and integrity, noting that these are the effective and efficient tools in the sector.
He asserted that the sector aims to ensure that mineral titles are issued in the most efficient and effective manner.
“The commitment will enhance strong service delivery in the best way for the growth and development of the mining sector at the end of the day,” he stated.
The DG of MCO said the office had opened an online system to ensure that a good number of people submit their applications for mineral titles.
He disclosed that the agency needs to have enough time to process the applications submitted for approval.
According to him, the MCO issues proper notice to people who engage in unauthorized mining activities, stressing that the office gives penalties as part of warning to desist from such activity.
Nkomo said, the procedure for issuing penalties is either through a registered post which is a 30-day post to the person’s known address by gazette.
“However, “If the victim refuses to adhere after the 30-day post on three national newspapers, then the victim will be issued with revocation,” he added.
