The Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Engineer Obadiah Nkom has emphasised the importance of collaboration in combating economic and financial crimes in the mining sector, ensuring a secure and compliant operating environment for stakeholders.
Engr. Nkom stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ACE I Michael Wetkas held at the EFCC’s Zonal Office, in Abuja the nation’s capital in a bid to strengthen accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s mining sector.
According to a statement by the Head of Press at the MCO, Mr. Patrick Chika Osuji, the discussion emphasised the need for intelligence sharing, capacity building, and a united front against illicit activities that undermine the sector’s potentials and integrity.
Mr. Osuji said the meeting focused on enhancing collaboration between both agencies, particularly in combating economic and financial crimes in the mining industry.
Welcoming the DG and his team, the EFCC Zonal Director lauded the visit as a positive step toward deepening institutional synergy. He stated:
“For the DG of MCO to come to the EFCC to seek collaboration and discuss openly speaks volumes about the transparency and accountability the agency is promoting,” Mr. Wetkas noted.
Government Attention
Mr. Wetkas also highlighted the importance of the solid minerals sector to Nigeria’s economic future, urging greater government attention due to the vast mineral deposits across the country.
He affirmed EFCC’s readiness to partner with MCO in restoring “sanity and order” within the system.
The management teams of both organisations described the visit as long-awaited and expressed optimism that the renewed collaboration will yield tangible results for Nigeria’s mining sector.
This engagement aligns with MCO’s broader agenda of reform, which includes digitising mineral title administration and improving revenue collection. Partnering with the EFCC, a key player in fighting corruption, further bolsters the MCO’s drive for transparency and good governance.