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Suyi Ayodele
The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has once again alerted the people of Edo State that it has not stopped the airborne geophysical survey it started in the state some weeks ago.
The ministry, while issuing the alert, particularly to residents of Edo North Senatorial District, said that the exercise was part of the Federal Government’s quest to improve the availability of geological information and data to enhance the diversification of the economy.
The ministry issued the alert in a statement endorsed by Ishaku Kigbu, Media/Communication Officer, Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver): Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, shared with journalists in Benin City on Saturday.
The statement disclosed that the airborne geophysical survey, which “is being supported by the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver), is carried out by an international Consultant called Excalibur and involves the use of yellow coloured small aircraft fitted with aeromagnetic lenses to carry out aeromagnetic surveys in additional areas in selected states of the federation which Edo State is among.
“As part of the activity in the newly carved out areas, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Delta and Benue States will experience the flying of these special aircraft at very low altitude in a repeated pattern to capture magnetic anomalies.
“In Edo State, areas the aircraft will fly at low altitude to capture geological information and data include Fugar in Etsako West LGA, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Igueben, Ikpoba – Okha and Oredo LGAs.
“The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development wishes to further state that to mitigate the impact, palpable fears and tension within communities and the local governments mentioned, the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver) has deployed a team to sensitise communities within the affected States.
“This has become very necessary given the security situation in the country and to ensure that the people are not misinformed or dis-informed as the Governorship elections approach in states”, it further explained.
it added that the sensitisation became imperative given reports reaching the ministry that in Emai forest in Owan East LGA and parts of Warrake forest, “a helicopter hovered around Afuze/Warrake forest on Sunday 5th March, at about 6.30 pm and dropped off masked men suspected to be militant warlords. The report as circulated which has gone viral further said on Tuesday, March 6, and Wednesday, March 7, similar incidents of dropping off masked men took place.
“Given this very disturbing revelation, the Project wishes to clarify that the aeromagnetic activity carried out by Xcalibur is not done by a helicopter but by a small yellow-coloured aircraft which has capacity for only a pilot in it – it does not carry more than one person and specially designed for capturing geological information and nothing more.
“The public may recall that the Airborne Geophysical Mapping Survey started in June 2021, and a robust sensitisation and enlightenment campaign was carried out in the 19 States that were to be covered by the activity.
“The programme experienced overlaps due to weather conditions and logistical reasons but has been progressing well since it started.
“This sensitisation exercise is to further re-sensitise the people of Edo not to panic upon sighting the aircraft, noting that the reassurance is necessary given the current security situation in the country coupled with the heightened electioneering season”, the ministry said.
According to it, the activity has achieved over 40% success in data acquisition and therefore remained very safe.
“The people of Edo State should not misconstrue this activity as an attack on the people or panic but note that it is a continuation of data acquisition in the affected areas of the state”, it counselled.
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