Edo State Government says it would sanction any mining company  which failed to meet its corporate social responsibility to its host communities in the state.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Mr Orobosa Omo-Ojo, made government’s  position known in an interview with journalist in Benin.

Omo-Ojo said that the ministry had concluded plans to tour the state to identify erring companies.

He said that the tour of the state would begin in Edo North Senatorial district in the next two week.

The commissioner said efforts would be made to assess projects undertaken by such companies for its host communities.

“If we find out that any of the companies has not deemed it fit to give back to the host community in terms of tangible social responsibility projects, we will penalise them.

“We are very serious here because these resources are not finishing and the companies need to start giving back to the people and their communities where they operate,’’ he said.

The commissioner, said that the state had more than 13 solid minerals deposits in commercial quantity, including gold, limestone, clay and bitumen.

He said the Federal Government was making more revenue from the state’s resources than it generated from haulage and road taxes

“All we are trying to do as a ministry is to ensure that we monitor the operations of these companies alongside maintaining harmonious relationship with the host communities.

 “This is why we are advocating a review of the law and when Edo is allowed to manage its resources, it will be one of the leading states in terms of accruals from solid minerals,’’ he said.