Government Ministries Join Forces to Safeguard Mining Areas
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and his counterpart from the Defence Ministry, Abubakar Badaru, have announced their collaborative efforts to ensure the protection of mining regions in the nation.
In a statement released on Friday by Segun Tomori, media aide to Minister Alake, it was revealed that the two ministers have held two meetings within the span of three weeks to discuss strategies for securing the mining areas.
Minister Badaru, speaking after their most recent meeting on Thursday, highlighted the importance of their discussions in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s goal of eradicating illegal miners and bandits. He emphasized the urgent need to capitalise on the potential massive revenue from the mining sector, which is currently impeded by security challenges.
“The country needs to make huge revenue from mining, but insecurity is bedevilling the industry,” he stated. “That is why the minister is pushing so hard for us to provide serious protection around the mining areas. That is why we always discuss to see how we can protect the mining environment, bring lasting peace to the country so that mining will flourish and the country will earn the much-needed foreign exchange from the sector.”
In order to address these security concerns, Minister Badaru disclosed that measures are being implemented for clearance operations at flash points before the deployment of the specialised mining police. Furthermore, the Ministry of Solid Minerals is actively providing data on all mining sites in the country to facilitate coordinated security operations.
Minister Alake underscored the federal government’s dedication to enforcing the full weight of the law on those who persist in engaging in illegal mining activities.
The joint efforts of the Ministries of Solid Minerals and Defence aim to foster a safe and secure environment for mining activities, thereby contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth and stability.
The collaboration between the two ministries reflects the government’s proactive approach to addressing the security challenges that have hampered the potential of the mining sector. By prioritising the protection of mining areas, the government demonstrates a commitment to leveraging the natural resources of the country for sustainable development.
With the concerted efforts of Minister Alake and Minister Badaru, along with the support of various security agencies, the protection of mining areas will be strengthened, paving the way for a thriving mining industry and a boost in foreign exchange earnings for the nation.
