The Nigerian Government has stepped up its campaign drive towards eliminating illegal Mining besetting the solid minerals sector.
This was disclosed by the Zonal Mining Officer, South-west, Engr. Ajayi Gbenga at a one-day stakeholders sensitisation workshop titled: ‘’Illegal Mining, An Act of Economic Sabotage’’- organised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.
He explained that the spread of illegal mining in Oyo State and entire country, is an act of economic sabotage which had deprived the nation of substantial revenue, including causing serious environmental degradation.
During his presentation, the Zonal Mines Officer posited that the pervasive spread of illegal mining operators in Oyo State is a 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.
To this end, Engr. Ajayi commended the Nigerian 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 entire country.”
The workshop is a 2 in one Stakeholders Training and Sensitization/Enlightenment campaign on Illegal Mining as an Act of Economic Sabotage & Training on Soft-Computing Models for Crusher Selection and Optimum Rock Fragmentation: Application of Crush ware and Frag ware.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
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