Fayemi vows to tackle illegal mining cartel

If the new minister for Solid Mineral, Dr Kayode Fayemi has his way, the days of illegal miners and their trade would soon come to an end in the country, as he has sent out a warning note that the Federal Government is ready to invoke the extant laws to bring them to justice in its bid to diversify the economy.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has given a marching order to rid the sector of illegal mining and generate more revenue into the nation’s coffers.
“We are ready to tackle the cartels in the sector and those who think they can continue will face the maximum wrath of the law”, Fayemi stated.

Fayemi while speaking with newsmen in his hometown, Isan Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, said that the Mining and Mineral Act 2007 had provided the government the legal weapon to prosecute illegal miners and saboteurs.

Read also: ‘Solid minerals can generate 10m jobs’

The former Ekiti State governor identified poor management of the sector in the last 55 years of independence as the reason why Nigeria had not gotten enough return in terms of foreign exchange, investment and job opportunities.
According to him, the nation had the potential to become a global leading player in the sector with 44 key minerals, which, he said could be found in about 350 locations in the 36 states.
The minister explained that solid minerals and agriculture were very dear to the president in his plan to widen the nation’s income base and provide employment opportunities, noting, that nothing would be spared to restore vibrancy to the sector.
He said, “Nigeria used to be a centre of excellence in solid minerals, particularly in Tin and Coal since 1903, that was before the First World War, when petrol came, we abandoned production of these two minerals. But we have come to realise our mistake”.

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