By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unveiled plans to set up a regional Geo-Extraction Observatory using the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO) invented electronic Mining Cadastre System, eMC+ as model.
This was disclosed during a visit by a delegation of ECOWAS Technical Experts, led by William Badu, a principal officer of ECOWAS, to the MCO in Abuja.
The NMCO’s eMC+ system, launched in November 2022, has been operational for over two years, providing a web-based platform for managing mineral titles and promoting transparency.
Simon Obadiah Nkom, Director-General of the NMCO, highlighted the benefits of the system, saying, “We believe we have had a lot of dividends from migrating the system to a web-based system. It has boosted transparency, created more transparency in the system, integrated beneficial ownership, and integrated politically exposed persons.”
William Badu explained that the ECOWAS delegation visited the Mining Cadastre Office to observe a practical demonstration of the eMC+ system.
“Our main purpose is to have a practical demonstration or observe a practical demonstration of how the Nigeria eMC+ system operates,” he said.
“We are looking at establishing a regional geo-extractive observatory and key data system, and Nigeria’s eMC+ system is a model we are considering,” he added.
Badu emphasised the importance of regional cooperation and integration, stating, “The way ECOWAS was established, cooperation, harmonisation, and integration underline our operations.
“The objective is for member states to cooperate, harmonise, and then eventually get regional integration in all spheres.
Madu Hassan Fika, Chairman, National Expert, ECOWAS, expressed his impression with the eMC+ system, saying, “What I saw today actually changed my impression completely because the mining cadastral office has gone far to be able to develop this kind of technology that can give an oversight view of what is happening in the entire cadastral system of Nigeria.”
The ECOWAS delegation’s visit aims to finalise a report on the feasibility of establishing a regional geo-extractive observatory and key data system.
The NMCO’s eMC+ system is seen as a model for other member states to emulate, promoting regional integration and cooperation in the extractive sector.
Just like the Global Extraction Observatory (GEO), the proposed Regional Geo-Extraction Observatory is a research hub that examines the impacts of resource extraction.. It aims to understand and document the cultural, territorial, and environmental effects of extractive industries. GEO uses a combination of research, creative practice, and public engagement to address these issues.