Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has hinted on strategic measures proposed by the Tinubu-led administration to tackle the menace of illegal mining, as it seeks to make solid mineral sector the new petroleum for Nigeria.
According to the Minister, the menace of illegal mining that has eroded and deprived the country of substantial revenue will be nipped in the bud under the political will and firmness of the administration of President Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, “The solid minerals sector is now the focal point of generating revenue for the country; it is now the next petroleum of Nigeria”.
Recall that a recent KPMG report has said Nigeria currently boasts over 44 priced solid minerals in the mining space, with huge deposits scattered over different parts of the country.
It called for the provision of accessible and affordable funding, expediting amendments to mining laws, regulations, and policies, access to reliable geo-data, provision of tax incentives and/or rebates, and enhancing security measures to safeguard mining operations.
The minister, in a statement issued by the head of the ministry’s Public Relations department, Alaba Balogun, hinted on the government’s plan to partner security agencies in tackling cases of illegal mining across the country, stating that it will no longer be business as usual barring the identity of whoever is involved in economic crime.
Commenting on the programme, which was conceived as part of ongoing minerals sector support for economic diversification, Alake stated that Nigerians have no business going abroad to buy jewellery, in view of its potential to contribute immensely to jewellery-making global market.
