From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Federal Government on Monday said it would embark on an “airborne geophysical survey” in Taraba State to improve geological information and data towards the diversification of the economy.
The activity to be conducted by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development would employ “the use of yellow coloured small aircrafts fitted with aeromagnetic lenses to carry out aeromagnetic surveys in selected states of the federation including Taraba State”.
According to a press statement by the Media/Communication Officer, Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Ishaku Kigbu, the operation will cover five local government areas namely: Ardo Kola, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Lau, Yorro and Zing.
The Ministry is therefore notifying Tarabans of the presence of aircrafts that would be flying at low altitude in the aforementioned areas.
“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, wish to re-notify the people of Taraba State, that the Federal Government in continuation of its quest to improve the availability of geological information and data to enhance the diversification of the economy to achieve the Renewed Hope agenda of the present administration is still embarking on an airborne geophysical survey within and around the State.
“Having carried out full sensitisation in the State earlier, the Ministry wish to re-emphasise that the activity is still ongoing hence the State will experience the flying of these special aircrafts at very low altitude in a repeated pattern to capture magnetic anomalies.
“In Taraba State, areas the aircraft will fly at low altitude to capture geological information and data include Ardo Kola, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Lau, Yorro and Zing LGAs.
“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, therefore, wishes to inform the state and LGAs affected not to panic or entertain fears as the activity is safe.
“This has become very necessary given the security situation in the country and to ensure that the people are not misinformed or dis-informed,” the statement read.
