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The Ogun State Government says it will commence enforcement process to bring illegal and destructive miners to face the full wrath of the law.
Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela who disclosed this in Abeokuta during a stakeholders meeting with miners, stated that the government would not condone any form of illegal mining and mining operations which negatively impact road, farm lands, schools and other infrastructure as well as the environment.
“There are mining operations which are not authorised and the Federal and State governments are not aware of them. We are going to embark on monitoring and operational inspection to bring illegal miners to book. We are not going to tolerate those destroying the environment. The resources that belong to the State are being carted away by some unscrupulous individuals.”
“It is important that we should know that we can not continue the way we have been running. The devastation and degradation is not acceptable, the State belongs to all of us. The land is not only for our current use but for the future use, even for generations yet unborn,” Sofela said.
The Commissioner who stressed the need for miners to chart a new course, said that the government was coming up with requirements which miners are to meet before getting a state license to help make mining operations mutually beneficial for miners, community and the government as well as promote reclamation of any mined area.
He disclosed that miners can now get State permits or license within two weeks, noting that the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment had related with relevant stakeholders like the Ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Environment, Forestry, Justice and others to fast-track the process.
Reiterating the State government’s commitment to supporting small businesses, improving the Ease of Doing Business and protecting the interest of indigenous miners, Sofela said that the present administration was not interested in distorting mining operation but to clamp down on those mining contrary to the stipulation of the law.
Affirming the government commitment to supporting miners to flourish, the Commissioner disclosed that miners would be eligible to get N100,000 grant from the State government through its Financial Empowerment Scheme which would commence soon.
He noted that the State government would work with the Federal Government to address salient issues on mining activities, appealing to miners to build relationships with relevant stakeholders, including host communities.
In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, lauded the support of the miners, urging them to continue to play their part in the development of the State.
Speaking on behalf of other miners, Mr. Yomi Arodu appreciated the Commissioner for the interactive forum, calling for the State government to protect indigenous entities against discrimination by foreign miners.
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