FG Steps Up Campaign To Curb Illegal Mining

As part of efforts to curb the activities of illegal mining in the country and ensure solid mineral sector contributes significantly to the gross domestic product, the Federal Government has stepped up its campaign drive towards eliminating challenges
besetting the sector.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Zonal Mines Officer South West, Ajayi Ggbenga, stated this at a one-day stakeholders’ sensitization/enlightenment workshop in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Gbenga explained that the spread of illegal mining in Oyo State and the entire country, is an act of economic sabotage which had deprived the nation of substantial revenue, including causing serious environmental degradation.

The Zonal Mines Officer posited that the pervasive spread of illegal mining operators in Oyo State is an hydra headed monster that has negative multiplier effects on the nation’s economy.

He further stated that it poses a stumbling block to genuine local and foreign investors in the sector as well as a clog in the wheel of progress of efforts by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to diversify the economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

Gbenga commended the Federal Government for establishing the Presidential task force tagged ‘’Solid Mineral Special Task Force (SMSTF), which is saddled with the responsibility of curbing the alarming spread of the menace of illegal mining activities in the South West and the entire country.

“To actualize this laudable objective, the States based Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee MIREMCO (as provided in the Nigerian Minerals and Mining, Section 19 of the Act 2007 and Nigerian Minerals and Regulations 2011) must cooperate with the State Governments to realize their mandate”.

“It is pertinent to state that the Solid Minerals Special Task Force (SMSTF) is structured to have the National Committee made up of the main committee and a technical committee at the headquarters level. The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake is the chairman of the main committee” he added.

He explained that the Roles and responsibilities of the SMSTF is to work out the operation modalities to check illegal mining activities and enhance revenue generation, Undertake several unscheduled visits to all the flashpoints to combat illegal mining activity and Develop the inventory of flashpoints of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining sites and Mineral processing points across the country.

The theme of the workshop is ‘’Illegal Mining, An Act of Economic Sabotage’’-

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace