Sylvanus Dongtoe, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in Plateau State, has urged residents to support the government’s decision to suspend mining activities in the region until the sector is restructured for more coordinated operations.
He expressed concerns that the rampant mining in the state is leading to various social issues that need to be addressed.
Speaking in his office in Jos during a visit from the leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, led by Chairman Polycarp Auta, Dongtoe noted the significant environmental damage caused by mining and the alarming trend of students abandoning their education to engage in illegal mining activities.Dongtoe stated, “I want to take this opportunity to discuss the mining situation.
The government’s intention is not to punish anyone or impose hardships on the citizens, but rather to reshape the State into a desirable location for legitimate activities.”He added, “However, following the Governor’s issuance of Executive Order 001, 2025, which suspended mining activities, there are individuals, especially within the political sphere, who perceive this as a political issue and have criticized the government.
It’s important for you to help enlighten the public about the reasoning behind this decision.”Dongtoe lamented the impact on education, noting, “It is unfortunate that some schools have closed because students have left to pursue mining opportunities.
We are also facing a shortage of skilled workers in construction as many have shifted their focus to mining.
Farming is also being neglected. We need to consider what happens if the mining resources are exhausted. For instance, a student in their third year of university left school to mine.”He also highlighted alarming social consequences, stating, “There are issues of sexual harassment, unwanted pregnancies, and women leaving their homes to pursue miners. These factors contribute to a negative image of Plateau State.”
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