29 February 2016, Abuja – The Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Mohammadu has said that the agency is set to deploy 5,000 “Solid Minerals defenders” armed squad to curb Illegal mining activities in the country.
Abdullahi stated that negligence and lack of effective regulations or laws to protect the exploration of minerals has led to loss of billions in revenue that should have accrued to the Federal government from the sector, even as the environment suffers degradation.
He disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists, weekend, in Abuja after a closed door meeting and the signing of Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) with the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Fayemi Kayode, Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Abubakar Bwari.
According to the NSCDC boss, “Mineral deposits are supposed to be a source of joy and wealth to the communities where they are deposited and not a curse. But the reverse has been the case in many communities.”
- This Day