FG Deploys 3,000 Civil Defence Corps Officers To Mining Sites Across The Country

Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd) has disclosed that three thousand officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been trained to provide security at the mining sites across the country.  Gen. Dambazau stated this when he received the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in his office.

He indicated that mining sites are critical infrastructures, which protection falls squarely under the purview of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and pledged the cooperation and support of the Ministry of Interior in safeguarding such national assets.  The Minister underscored the need to properly license the operators as the solid mineral sector has the potential for increased revenue earning for the country. He stated that the capacity of the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service is being enhanced to identify various minerals which are exported illegally through the country’s borders.

On the identification of the sponsors of illegal mine operators in the country, Gen. Dambazau assured that the task force would trace and track such illegal operators and their sponsors, and bring them to justice through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  He subsequently directed the Citizens and Business Department of the Ministry of Interior to henceforth clear all expatriate quotas with the Ministry of Solid Minerals before approval, to ensure that jobs meant for Nigerians are not being undertaken by foreigners.

While speaking earlier, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, affirmed the preparedness of his Ministry to deepen the existing cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, especially in the protection of the solid minerals sub-sector of the economy. Dr. Fayemi emphasized that his Ministry is intensifying efforts to curb the activities of illegal miners across the country and to enhance the capacity of Nigerians in the sector, so as to create wealth and employment to the teeming youths.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of State, Abubakar Bwari, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. M. F. Istifanus and some management staff of the Ministry.

 -From The Ministry Of Information