As part of efforts to enhance the coordination and regulation of mineral resource management, the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA is partnering with the Mining Cadastre Office MCO to streamline mining activities within the Territory.
The Director-General of the MCO, Simon Nkom Obadiah, made this known while receiving a delegation from the FCT Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters.
He emphasized that a strong synergy has been established to ensure both agencies operate in alignment regarding the administration and management of mineral resources in the FCT.
Nkom, who highlighted that the collaboration will help preserve the sanctity of the FCT by curbing unauthorized mining activities, expressed confidence that the initiative will not only enhance mineral resource management but also boost investor confidence and attract foreign investments to the sector.
“The FCT itself will be able to now streamline and ensure that, at the end of the day, the FCT maintains its sanctity in terms of what it’s supposed to be, not to find mining pits here and there,” he said.
“All these things we are doing is because of the government of President Bola Tinubu, with the seven-point agenda and repositioning the mining sector,”
“And the work that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake is doing in the sector is something that he gives us all the necessary support” Nkom noted.
“The synergy between the two agencies will ensure that conflicts between mineral titles and land titles are eliminated”
Earlier, the Director of the FCT Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters, Obrike Chinyelu, described the partnership as critical to the effective oversight and coordination of mining activities in the FCT.
“We are here to take off and do what we are supposed to be doing. We believe that we are going to get a lot of information from here, and people believe we have well-experienced people here who have been driving this process for the Federation and FCT” she emphasized.
Chinyelu explained that the FCT Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters was established in November 2022 to moderate and harmonize mining activities in the territory.
She added that before she assumed office, the department had been awaiting the Minister of the FCT’s approval of its operational guidelines, a milestone that was achieved on March 26, 2025.
“We want to document and really know who and who are mining in FCT, who and who are doing what in FCT. Part of our mandate is to ensure that mining operators meet their obligations, such as community development agreements.”
“The department aims to address complaints of encroachments and illegal mining activities, ensuring that mining operations are properly coordinated and documented.”
“Additionally, the MCO will work with the FCT Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters to streamline the licensing process, ensuring that all mining activities are properly licensed and compliant with regulations.”
“The collaboration also aims to promote ease of doing business in FCT, ensuring that mining operators can conduct their activities without unnecessary hurdles.
Chinyelu noted that the department is committed to driving the process, linking and communicating with other stakeholder departments, and coordinating activities.
