Cross River State governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, has called for sweeping legislative reforms that would grant states more control over their solid mineral resources.
The governor made this appeal while receiving members of the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals at the Government House, Calabar.
Highlighting the state’s rich mineral deposits, Otu described Cross River as one of Nigeria’s solid mineral hubs, with commercial quantities of limestone, granite, gold, uranium, barite, iron ore, kaolin, manganese, and others. However, he lamented that existing legal frameworks prevent states from harnessing these resources fully.
“Without any fear of equivocation, Cross River State is one of the solid mineral hubs in Nigeria. But for now, this is a dream that is yet to come true,” Otu said.
He pointed to the 1999 Constitution, the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (2007), and the Land Use Act (1978) as major obstacles, stressing that the current framework gives the federal government exclusive control over mineral resources.
The governor also raised concerns about the environmental toll of mining on host communities.
“While the Federal Government is drawing huge revenue from these minerals, the locals are constantly blighted by air and water pollution,” he noted.
To address these challenges, Otu urged the National Assembly to amend relevant laws to place ownership of solid minerals on the Residual List, giving states greater control. He emphasized that such reforms would reduce illegal mining, boost state revenue, improve livelihoods, and contribute to Nigeria’s overall GDP.
Speaking earlier, the committee chairman, Hon. Gaza Jonathan, explained that their visit was aimed at investigating compliance of mining companies with the Minerals and Mines Act 2007 and the Explosives Act, as well as to participate in the state’s Solid Minerals Expo.
He expressed worry over illegal mining, stressing the need for remediation and reclamation of mined sites. Jonathan cited global examples where abandoned mining sites were transformed into tourist attractions, urging Nigeria to adopt similar strategies.
He further called on the state government to formalize community consent processes, ensuring that mining companies engage with host communities transparently and sustainably.
