Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government’s deployment of mining marshals has yielded significant results, with a noticeable reduction in illegal haulage of solid minerals and unlicensed operators, says the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
According to Alake, mining marshals since inauguration have arrested over 200 illegal mining suspects, with 133 prosecutions underway, and confiscated illegally mined minerals, which have been forfeited to the federal government.
The Minister attributed the success to the effective collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the Ministry of Interior, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Speaking at the Passing Out Parade of an additional 350 Mining Marshals, Alake represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel, Dr. Mary Ogbe, said the deployment of 350 additional mining marshals underscores the federal government’s commitment to reforming the mining sector.
He said, “The efforts of the mining marshals have significantly reduced illegal mineral haulage and the activities of unlicensed operators nationwide. This is a testament to the effectiveness of our collaboration with the NSCDC.
“Today’s Passing Out Parade of the second batch will further increase our numbers, ensuring wider coverage and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the squad. As we integrate and improve collaboration between mining marshals and Federal Mines Officers across the country, we aim to intensify sector sanitization and boost investor confidence, leading to increased investments and development in the mining industry.
“The deployment of additional operatives will further enhance the operational effectiveness of the mining marshals, leading to increased investor confidence and economic development in the mining sector,” Dr. Alake added.
Also, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, addressing the newly inducted marshals, emphasized on the need for continued training and deployment to ensure comprehensive coverage of the country’s vast mining areas and to maximize the benefits derived from solid minerals.
“The progress made so far exemplifies effective collaboration. With this second batch, we have more personnel on the ground, but we must continue training and deploying to protect our mining areas and ensure our nation reaps the full benefits of its solid minerals, for economic development.”
In his remarks, NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Abubakar Audi, revealed that the new operatives underwent an intensive eight-week training program, preparing them to strengthen the mining marshals’ operations and intensify efforts against illegal miners nationwide.
Audi said the induction of the 350 new operatives brings the total number of specially trained and kitted mining marshals deployed nationwide to 2,570.
