Edo State is lavishly endowed with natural resources. Officially, on paper, it may appear as the tapping of these resources are yet to commence. Our discreet investigations, revealed that illegal and secret exploits of these resources are ongoing.
It is absolutely of essence to highlight some of these resources and their location. In Akoko Edo Local government area, we have, gold, copper, marble, kaolin, limestone, granite, charnolite, Dolomite and fieldspar. While in Etsako Central local government area, available minerals are: limestone, kaolin and gypsum. Also in Etsako East, limestone, fieldspar,clay, marble, granite, kaolin and gold are available. Similarly, Etsako West posseses: granite, kaolin, gypsum and limestone. Igueben local government area has kaolin just like Esan West local government area. Esan North East local government area, has bentonite and kaolin. Also Esan South local government area, has bentonite and kaolin as well, just like Esan Central local government area.
In Edo South Senatorial District, you have kaolin in Egor and kaolin and clay. In Uhunmwode local government area, In Ikpoba Okha, you have petroleum, clay and kaolin. Oredo local government area has petroleum, kaolin and clay.
Similarly Orhiomwon has petroleum, gas, kaolin and clay. It’s absolutely of essence to emphasize that, Oben in Orhiomwon, has an unprecedented gas reserve.Ovia North East local government area has petroleum, kaolin and clay. Similarly, Ovia South West local government area has silical sand and kaolin. Owan East parade diorite, granite, marble, kaolin and limestone. In same hemisphere, Owan West local government area has , granite, gypsum, limestone, marble and clay.
The motive of this unfolding scenario is to enable Edo State government and the general public know the amount of untapped resources we have as a people. Our discreet investigations revealed that, some of these resources are being tapped, with the conianvance of our people and some non indigin indigenes, foreigners as well.
This Writer is calling on the Governor Okpevbolo led administration, to beam her searchlight on this sector. This is with a view of creating a conducive investment atmosphere, to attracting potential Investors. Government should be proactive, to halting illegal minn of her minerals. Even though, it’s absolutely federal government jurisdiction, however, Edo State government will benefit from derivative principle and taxation, if potential Investors are on ground.
Our investigations revealed that, pockets of recent security breaches, such as kidnapping and banditry that spiraled across Edo are diversionary tactics. These strategies are often ignited by illegal Miners to distract relevant authorities from scrutinizing their illicit activities.
As government is under pressure to satisfy the yearnings of the people, she needs to multiply her revenue sources. This Writer wants to admonish our people hobnobbing with foreigners to deplete our resources, to stop it.
The exploiters of these resources give you peanuts, while they cart away the chunk of money.
I am therefore of the view that government should constitute a Committee to oversee the mineral sector. This Committee should be replicated at local government, ward and village levels. Among its oversight functions should be proper security measures to stem the tide of of the ugly trend.
