Economy
Cross River Imposes Statewide Ban on Illegal Mining, Intensifies Surveillance
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Cross River State, Mr Bassey Otu, has imposed a statewide ban on illegal mining, directing all unlicensed operators to immediately shut down their activities.
The directive followed a strategic meeting with stakeholders in the mining industry, where the governor expressed concern over the growing security and environmental risks associated with unregulated mining operations.
Mr Otu said the ban takes immediate effect and applies to all operators without legitimate approvals from the Federal Government of Nigeria, while those with proper documentation will be allowed to continue their activities.
“This sector is strategic to the economic future of our state,” the governor said. “But instead of bringing prosperity to our communities, it is gradually becoming a source of serious concern. We believe wealth can still be created from mining, but it must be done ethically, legally and with full responsibility.”
He revealed that intelligence reports had shown an increasing influx of unregulated mining operators, including foreign nationals whose identities and operations remain largely unknown to the state authorities.
“I have been receiving reports about the influx of strangers and aliens into our various communities,” Otu said. “The truth is that we do not even know the number of these operators. We must know those who are in our state and what exactly they are doing in our environment.”
The governor also accused some local actors of aiding illegal mining activities.
“Some of the people complicating this situation are unfortunately within our own communities,” he said. “Some clan heads and village heads have become part of the problem by facilitating activities that are not properly regulated.”
Mr Otu revealed that the state government had initially attempted to address the problem through dialogue with federal authorities and security agencies responsible for monitoring mining operations, but noted that progress had been slow.
“I personally initiated discussions with federal authorities and security agencies to strengthen monitoring in the sector,” he said. “There were assurances that rangers would be deployed to assist us, but the process has taken far too long.”
He said the state could no longer wait, adding that the government had now decided to act decisively.
“We have given enough time of grace,” the governor declared. “There comes a point where government must act decisively. That time has now come.”
Announcing the directive, he said all illegal mining activities must stop immediately across the state.
“I am imposing a total ban on illegal mining in this state,” he said. “Let everyone return to their locations. When you are ready to come back, you must first report to the ministry and be properly profiled before any activity resumes.”
Mr Otu stressed that only operators with verifiable federal approvals and proper documentation would be allowed to continue operating.
“Those who have legitimate approvals from the federal government and whose activities are already known to the ministry will not be affected,” he said. “But anybody entering our communities to mine without proper authorisation should understand that those days are over.”
He warned that unregulated mining had begun to threaten public safety and agricultural livelihoods in many communities.
“This situation is affecting our security,” he said. “It is affecting our farmers and creating too many problems for our communities. Cross River is a hospitable state, but there is a limit to what we can continue to manage.”
To enforce the directive, the governor ordered the State Security Adviser to coordinate immediate enforcement operations and directed the Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force to commence round-the-clock surveillance in mining areas.
“There must be 24-hour monitoring to ensure that nobody goes behind the government to continue these activities illegally,” he said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The deadline for filing income tax returns for the 2025 fiscal year has been extended by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) by two weeks.
The Head of Corporate Communications for LIRS, Mrs Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude, in a statement on Monday, said the new deadline is April 14, 2026, and no longer March 31, 2026.
The tax filing is for individuals living in the metropolis, and they have been charged to give priority to the timely filing of their annual income tax returns, noting that compliance should be embedded as a routine personal practice.
The chairman of LIRS, Mr Ayodele Subair, explained that the statutory deadline for filing individual annual tax returns is March 31 every year, adding that the extension is intended to provide individuals with additional time to complete and submit accurate tax returns.
He also reiterated that electronic filing through the LIRS eTax platform remains the only approved method for submitting annual returns, as manual filings have been completely phased out. Individuals are therefore required to file their returns exclusively through the LIRS eTax portal: https://etax.lirs.net.
Describing the platform as secure, user-friendly, and accessible 24/7, Mr Subair advised individuals to ensure that their TaxID (Tax Identification Number) is correctly captured in their submissions.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Brent oil price increased by 1.3 per cent or $1.48 to $114.00 per barrel on Monday as the Iran war entered its fifth week, with President Donald Trump threatening to destroy the Islamic Republic’s oil wells.
Brent has soared about 55 per cent in March, a record for the contract, dating back to its inception in 1988. The previous monthly record was a 46 per cent gain in September 1990 during the first Gulf War.
Also, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were up $3.45 or 3.5 per cent to $103.09 a barrel, as Mr Trump vowed to target power plants and Kharg Island unless the Strait of Hormuz was reopened. Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies, continues to be a point of focus.
In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, the US president said his preferred option in Iran would be to “take the oil,” likening it to the country’s actions in Venezuela, where the US effectively gained control over the country’s oil sector after the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro.
His remarks come as the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran entered another week, with attacks spreading across the region, heightening risks to energy infrastructure and driving a sharp rally in crude prices.
Previously, the American president said he would pause attacks on Iran’s energy network until April 6 and that the US and Iran have been meeting “directly and indirectly”, but Iran described US proposals to end a month of war in the Middle East as “unrealistic, illogical and excessive” and unleashed more missiles on Israel.
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that the global oil market is well supplied, with more boats travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. Two Chinese container ships sailed through the strait on their second attempt to leave the Gulf after turning back on Friday.
Market analysts noted that the potential for further disruption through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping channel linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, could push prices even higher.
Yemen’s Houthis said Saturday they had launched missiles at Israel, marking their first direct involvement in the US- Israel war against Iran.
Prices eased a bit after the Group of Seven (G7) finance leaders signalled readiness to act to stabilise energy markets. Alongside their central banks, they indicated readiness to take “all necessary measures” to safeguard energy market stability and limit broader economic spillovers from recent volatility.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has marked a major milestone with the introduction and successful lifting of 950,000 barrels of Cawthorne Blend crude into the global market, a move aimed at boosting Nigeria’s production output and supporting its quota targets.
The feat was achieved through the FSO Cawthorne vessel, Nigeria’s first new crude oil terminal in 50 years, according to a statement by the Sahara Group on Monday, as the company said it welcomed the development.
It was recently reported that the country would introduce a new light sweet crude called Cawthorne in March. The launch of the new grade is part of Nigeria’s broader push to lift production, which has been constrained for years by crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and security challenges in the Niger Delta.
Cawthorne crude, which has an API gravity of 36.4, is similar in quality to Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light, a grade widely valued by refiners for its high yields of gasoline and diesel.
The introduction of the grade could increase Nigeria’s crude and condensate supply from about 1.65 million barrels per day to roughly 1.7 million barrels per day for the rest of the year, depending on operational stability and market demand.
“Over the weekend, the first shipment of 950,000 barrels from FSO Cawthorne, Nigeria’s newest oil terminal, was initiated following its licensing and gazetting by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)”, the statement read in part.
FSO Cawthorne serves as a critical offshore production support asset, providing storage and offtake capabilities for crude produced from OML 18 and nearby producing assets.
On its part, Sahara Group, a global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, reiterated the strategic role of FSO Cawthorne in strengthening Nigeria’s energy security through its reliable production, storage, and evacuation infrastructure.
Sahara Group also recognised the advanced technologies deployed on FSO Cawthorne, noting that the facility incorporates cutting‑edge systems supported by artificial intelligence‑enabled monitoring and robust QHSE frameworks, enhancing operational efficiency, asset integrity, safety performance, and environmental stewardship.
Sahara commended NNPC for its leadership of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 and surrounding assets in the eastern Niger Delta, where Sahara Group is a joint operator and joint venture partner, noting that the company’s collaborative approach continues to drive continuous improvement and value delivery across Nigeria’s upstream sector.
Mr Tosin Etomi, Head, Commercial and Planning at Asharami Energy (a Sahara Group Upstream company), said the crude lifting from FSO Cawthorne represents a defining moment for the asset, the OML 18 partnership, and the wider oil and gas sector.
“The successful commencement of crude lifting from FSO Cawthorne is a significant milestone for the OML 18 partnership and a strong demonstration of what can be achieved through shared vision, technical discipline and committed collaboration,” Mr Etomi said.
Mr Etomi noted that the milestone aligns with Sahara Group’s broader upstream strategy, which is focused on building a resilient, scalable, and responsible production portfolio anchored on strong partnerships, asset optimisation, and long‑term value creation.
“The transition of FSO Cawthorne into active export is consistent with our upstream growth strategy, prioritising operational excellence, indigenous participation and infrastructure capable of sustainably supporting Nigeria’s production ambitions,” he said.
He noted that Sahara Group’s upstream portfolio includes a growing oilfield services division, which is redefining innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the sector.
“Our expanding oilfield services capabilities are integral to our upstream vision, enabling smarter operations, improved efficiencies, and responsible resource development,” Etomi said.
“Sustainable social impact interventions and community participation have been key drivers of our upstream success, and we remain committed to aligning our operations with the highest global environmental, social, and governance standards.”
Mr Etomi also commended host communities and key regulatory and operational institutions, including the NUPRC, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), for their support in ensuring seamless operations.
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