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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has warned that the administration would not tolerate any form of illegal mining and exportation of raw mineral resources.
He spoke in Abuja at the graduation ceremony and presentation of starter packs to batch three graduates of the ministry’s programme on gemstone and jewellery master training empowerment.
Alake stressed that the ministry was working hard to set up strategies to apprehend and prosecute culprits irrespective of class in the society.
He added that solid minerals is Nigeria’s next petroleum and must be properly harnessed with local values added before exporting.
“I want to use this opportunity to send a very stern and strong warning to the entire nation that with Mr. President, there is a new Sheriff in town. Illegal mining will no longer be tolerated by this administration. My ministry is putting in place some strategies, tactics and logistics. We are working very closely with the security agencies with a view to designing a solid and enduring formula for combating illegal mining and illegal exploitation of all critical minerals in this country. In due course, the details will be unfolded to the public….
“In fact, I say with all emphasis and sense of responsibility, that solid minerals are the next petroleum of Nigeria… We are not just going to be exporting, excavating, exploring and carting away our solid minerals abroad, we are going to be adding local value and we are going to attract foreign investors into this industry to this sector.”
Tope Adebanjo, Jewelry Training Consultant for the ministry, said the initiative will develop and raise entrepreneurs for this sector.
