By Bisola Adeyemo
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite has commended the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for maximum protection of the nation’s solid minerals from illegal miners.
The minister stated this during a courtesy visit on Monday to the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja.
The minister said that the (NSCDC) contributes very significantly to the actualization of the economic diversification program of government as the nation moves from over dependency on oil to other sectors such as mining and agriculture.
He commended the Corps for being exceptional in performance and result-oriented in the line of duty.
He says (NSCDC) has down well enough in protecting the nation’s solid minerals to generate maximize profits, thus far, the NSCDC has performed excellently well in protecting these God-given resources from the hands of wasters.
“I have come to thank you for doing this great job”.
The minister 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 a need to tap its full potential 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 renege 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.
In his response, the Commandant General, D.r Ahmed Audi appreciated the Minister for the visit and reassured him that, the Corps will not rest on its oars until it puts an end to illegal mining through a renewed onslaught against the enemies of the nation.
Dr. 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 licenses to obtain the license or quit the business completely as NSCDC will be coming after them in full force.
He said: “the problem associated with illegal mining is multi-dimensional, that, aside from amounting to wastage and loss of revenue for the government, it causes a human and environmental catastrophe, which is the reason the NSCDC is taking bold steps in addressing the challenges with renewed vigor.”
