The Oyo State Government has said it is ready to strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC in tackling illegal mining in the state.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, discloses the Director General (DG), of Oyo State Mineral Development Agency, Abiodun Oni, gave the assurance, in Ibadan, when he paid a visit to the Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Michael Adaralewa.
Oni said the NSCDC was a strategic partner in the fight against illegal mining in the state, noting that the visit was geared towards stopping stealing and irregularities in the state mining sector, by illegal miners.
He revealed that the state government would not allow the illegal act of stealing and irregularities going on in the mining sector by some individuals, affirming that the state government was ready to sanitise the state mining sector through the Mining Act and all relevant Laws.
The DG appreciated the NSCDC Oyo State Command, for their support during the previous enforcement exercise in the state mining sector, urging the state command to put more efforts into their support because illegal miners were on the rampage with the belief that they could not be caught.
In his reply, the Commandant of the Oyo State NSCDC Command, Commandant Michael Adaralewa, appreciated the state government for her support in the provision of security cars, vans, and security gadgets, among others.
Adaralewa urged the state government to dedicate more security equipment such as security cars, security gadgets, and guns, among other logistics, for the fight against illegal miners.
He promised the NSCDC, Oyo Command’s readiness to partner with the state government in the fight against illegal miners.
Dominica Nwabufo
