…As NSCDC boss vows to end illegal miners, get Minister’s support
By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite, has commended the Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi and the Corps for their exceptional performance and result oriented in the discharge of their duties to the nation.
He expressed appreciation to the Corps for their display of nationalism and patriotism when they dislodged 19 Chinese illegal miners from Osun State.
The Minister made the disclosure during a courtesy call at the National Headquarters in Abuja, stating that the Corps is contributing very significantly to the actualization of the economic diversification program of government as the nation moves from the over dependency on oil as the mainstay of our economy to other sectors such as mining and agriculture.
If these natural resources are properly harnessed, it will benefit every Nigerian through increased local and foreign earnings that will translate to growth and development of the country, he added.
“There is a need to protect the nation’s solid minerals from illegal miners to prevent huge economic losses and maximize profits, thus far, the NSCDC has performed excellently well in protecting these God-given resources from the hands of wasters and I have come to thank you for doing this great job”. The Minister said.
He affirmed that solid minerals like gold, lead, limestone, diamond, lithium and so on are found in large deposits all over the country and there is need to tap its full potentials to help boost the country’s GDP and hasten development in the country.
The Minister, however, charged the Corps to do more for the country and not reneged in ensuring adequate protection and preservation of mining sites from illegal miners sabotaging the economy, citing notable examples of how the Corps was able to dislodge about 19 Chinese illegal miners from Osun State.
He went on to say; “Since the beginning of our partnership with the NSCDC, tremendous advancement has been recorded in the mining sector and I am going to ensure that we support your agency in every way possible to make your job easier”.
In his response, the CG Audi, reassured the Minister that, the Corps will not rest on its oars until it put an end to illegal mining through a renewed onslaught against the enemies of Nigeria.
Audi, further stated that as the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the country, it has placed the sector under watch and warned all illegal and artisanal miners without license to obtain the license or quit the business completely as NSCDC will be coming after them in full force.
According to the CG, the problem associated with illegal mining is multi-dimensional, that, aside from amounting to wastage and loss of revenue for the government, it causes human and environmental catastrophe, which is the reason the NSCDC is taking bold steps in addressing the challenges with renewed vigor.
The Minister assured the Corps of the Ministry’s total support and collaboration in bringing sanity to the sector and also applauded the Commandant General for his gender sensitivity and an all-inclusive policy of integrating and mainstreaming women into the system and compositions of the Corps which he noticed upon his arrival at the Corps National Headquarters.
DCC ODUMOSU OLUSOLA, is Director, Public Relations, NSCDC National Headquarters. He writes from Abuja.