Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has warned traditional rulers in the state to stop issuing mining permits in their domains without government approval.
Speaking at a thanksgiving ceremony in honour of his appointees from Kwande Local Government Area (LGA), one of the state’s mining hubs, the governor said his administration would not tolerate illegal mining. He warned that offenders would face prosecution.
“We will not tolerate any form of illegal mining in any part of the state, and traditional rulers must desist from issuing mining permits without government approval,” Alia said.
The governor also reiterated his commitment to infrastructural development in Kwande, announcing plans to construct additional roads to ease the movement of people and agricultural produce.
On security, Alia pledged to sustain cooperation with the Federal Government and local authorities to flush out armed herders. He added that those found conniving with criminals to attack communities would be treated as enemies of the state.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support to Benue and stressed that politics should focus on development and the welfare of the people. He also urged his appointees from Kwande to remain accessible to their constituents and encouraged residents to participate actively in the ongoing voter registration exercise.
Prince Moses Ternenge, the APC leader in Kwande, described the governor as a true man of God with the interest of the people at heart, while the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Timothy Ornguga, speaking on behalf of the appointees, pledged their loyalty and total support for the administration.
