From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
In order to tackle the high rate of insecurity in mining sites across the country, the Federal Government has launched the first batch of mining marshals.
The minister of solid minerals, Dr Dele Alake while launching the marshals in Abuja said securing mining sites is becoming too critical for the development of the economy.
According to the minister the first batch of the mining sites Police is made up of Civil Defense structure which will be joined by other security agencies in future.
He added that the headquarters of the force is in Solid Minerals ministry with commands in the 36 states of the federation.
” I want to appreciate the ministry of Interior for putting forces in place to tackle insecurity in our mining sites.
Insecurity have devoured the mineral sector of our economy. The issue of tackling insecurity at mining sites is becoming essential to our economy development.
The first batch of this force is drawn from large segment of Civil Defense for engagement of illegal mining and sanitation of our mining sites while others agencies will join in future,he said.
On his part, the minister of interior Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo said with this collaboration, illegal mining will be a forgotten issue as the marshals will be present at the 774 LGAs of the country.
The Minister who was represented by the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi explained that huge amount of the nation’s revenue is been lose to illegal miners.
“We are going to be present in all the rural areas and because we have a spread, we will combat them” he added.
Also speaking, the Chairman house committee on Solid Mineral, Mr. Jonathan Gbefwi who expressed optimistic that with the current development, Nigeria’s economy will change in no distance time
commended the synergy between the solid minerals ministry and the security agencies.