The federal government has expressed its resolve to collaborate with the Cross River government to standardise and sanitise the sector.

Ememobong Essien, the operational head of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), disclosed this in Calabar on Monday during a visit to the Cross River Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Effiom-Ekaha Otu.

Ms Essien said the collaboration was critical and strategic to enhancing safety and oversight in the extractive industry.

She further stated that effective monitoring of mining operations was critical to the growth of the extractive industry.

The NNRA boss said that naturally occurring radioactive materials were often unearthed during mineral exploration and required specialised handling to prevent health risks.

“This partnership will ensure that mining operations in Cross River adhere to international safety standards and protect both the environment and the health of host communities.

“Our mandate is to regulate all activities involving ionising radiation. The agency will deploy all available resources to ensure that safe and standard practices are strictly enforced.

“We call on the state government’s full cooperation to ensure that the industry meets global benchmarks,” she said.

She further stated that working closely with the Cross River government was essential to identifying and managing radiological risks within the solid minerals sector.

Responding, the commissioner said the Governor Bassey Otu-led government was firmly committed to sanitising the mining sector.

He assured the federal government of the state’s full cooperation in sanitising the sector to ensure greater productivity.

“As a state, we prioritise the protection of the ecosystem and human population from hazardous substances that emerge through unregulated mining practices,” he said.

He assured NNRA of the state government’s commitment to the mandatory profiling of all mining entities.

“This initiative is to document and identify their operational status for peace and security within the sector,” he said.

(NAN)