Niger state government has taken bold step to stamp out the activities of illegal miners causing the state to lose huge sums as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
This followed an order by the state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago that all illegal mining activities should stop forthwith for refusing to comply with the state government’s rules and regulations guiding mining.
Consequently, the taskforce on illegal mining paid surprise visit to some mining pits at; Keteren-Gwari, T-mama joint area, MI Wushishi housing estate and the 3-arm zone, arrested 33 persons, including women and children while power generating set and other tools used for their illegal activities were also confiscated.
The team, led by the Commissioner Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources, Alhaji Garba Sabo Yahaya, inspected the areas for a clearer picture of the devastation to land and nature caused by the activities of illegal miners.
The Commissioner, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and Directors of the ministry,said the feat would send message to all those sabotaging the state’s determination to end illegal mining business.
A breakdown of the arrests, the Commissioner indicated, showed that; 33 persons were arrested, 9 in the 3-arm zone, 7 at M.I Wushishi housing estate while the remaining 17 was picked up along the T-Mama joint, Mandela road.
Items recovered at the scene included; 11 water pump generators, one motorcycle, the Commissioner said as he emphasized that the arrests were made in accordance with the Governor’s directives.
While expressing renewed commitments of the Ministry to ensure total enforcement of the ban on illegal mining and will take decisive action against anyone found contravening the order whether they possess a license or not.
The state government is also worried that despite the ban, the activities of illegal miners have continued unabated, adding that the ministry has resolved to thoroughly investigate all mining operations.
Meanwhile, the commissioner have expressed concern over active involvement of children in mining activities as many of them have abandoned their education in place of mining which many of them erroneously believed would make more meaning to their lives than education.
The Commissioner however pointed our that, “The state government has always emphasized the importance of education, especially for children of school age, but many of them have not come to terms with the truth about their future without education”.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
