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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 was made up of the Civil Defence structure, which would be joined by other security agencies in the 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 has devoured the mineral sector of our economy. The issue of tackling insecurity at the mining sites is becoming essential to our economic development. The first batch of this force is drawn from large segment of Civil Defence Corps for engagement of illegal mining, and sanitation of our mining sites, while other agencies would join in the future,” he said.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said with this collaboration, illegal mining would be a forgotten issue as the marshals would be present at the 774 local government areas of the country.
Represented by the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, he explained that huge amount of the nation’s revenue was being lost 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 of the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Mineral, Mr. Jonathan Gbefwi, who expressed optimism that with the current development, Nigeria’s economy would change in no distance time, commended the synergy between the solid minerals ministry and the security agencies.
The new Mines Marshal is led by a Commander, Chief Superintendent of Corps, CSC Attah John Onoja.
