By Obiabin Onukwugha
Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), has called on the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, to stop states from banning mining activities.
National President of MAN, Dele Ayanleke, made the call while reacting to recent ban on mining activities and as well arrest of miners by some states of the Federation, on Monday.
Ayanleke said the need for intervention has become imperative as state governments do not possess the constitutional right to ban mining activities in their domains.
Ayanleke said some of the miners arrested are registered with the association, and therefore have the right to freely operate their business
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He further stated that while the association kicks against illegal mining, the states and federal government should rather take.proactive steps in checking illegal mining activities rather than arrest registered members.
“Our positions remain constant. Miners Association of Nigeria is absolutely against any form of illegality in the sector, either in regulatory or operative wing of the sector.
“Our motto: ‘The Watchdog of The Mining Industry’, and our membership admission policy that doesn’t entertain unlicensed operators, are eloquent testimonies to this claim. Do you need to ban illegality or take proactive actions to prevent or stop?
“How can a state government that doesn’t issue mining permits know the legal and the illegal miners? Where is the involvement of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and its agencies that issue permits and regulate the sector in all these shenanigans?
“What happens to the Constitution of Nigeria that all our elected and appointed political officers swore on oath to promote and defend?
“Our Minister and the entire apparatus of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, as the chief regulator/administrator can no longer afford to remain silent over this matter that is gradually assuming the status of a behemoth”, he stated.
