The Nigerian Mining Geosciences Society (NMGS) has earnestly appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the adequate funding of mines offices across the country, to effectively monitor and curb illegal mining activities. This appeal was made during a press conference held in Uyo to commemorate the 255th Council Meeting of the society. Prof. Akinade Olatunji, the President of the Nigerian Mining Geosciences Society, emphasized the imperative need for the government to allocate sufficient resources and qualified personnel to address the critical issue of illegal mining activities, which continue to have adverse effects on the economy and the environment.
Prof. Olatunji stressed the importance of providing the necessary funding and logistics to the federal mines offices, including the provision of vehicles to access remote areas where unchecked mining activities are taking place. He emphasized that the eradication of illegal mining requires a well-equipped and motivated workforce, and lamented that the current state of the mines offices is inadequate for effectively carrying out this mandate.
The President of the NMGS highlighted the urgent need to increase the staff capacity of the mining inspectorate units to combat illegal mining effectively. Drawing attention to the poor staffing of mines offices across the nation, Prof. Olatunji emphasized the necessity of boosting the personnel and resources allocated to these offices. He further proposed the implementation of a separate salary scale for the staff in the mining inspectorate units, akin to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), to ensure proper regulation and enhanced performance in curbing illegal mining activities.
Addressing concerns about the relationship between borehole drilling and earthquakes, Prof. Olatunji dispelled any notion of a connection between the two. He did, however, caution against the indiscriminate drilling of boreholes due to its potential environmental consequences.
In light of the pressing issue of illegal mining activities in Nigeria, the appeal by the Nigerian Mining Geosciences Society serves as a clarion call to the Federal Government to allocate the necessary funds and resources to the mines offices across the federation. It is essential for the government to heed this call in order to safeguard the nation’s economy and environment from the adverse effects of illegal mining. The proposals put forward by the NMGS underscore the imperative need for a well-equipped and motivated workforce to effectively monitor and eradicate illegal mining activities, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the mining sector in Nigeria.