Minister urges states to support FG in fight against illegal mining

ABUJA – The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Musa Sada, on Thursday called on states in the country to support the Federal Government in the fight against illegal mining. Sada made the appeal in Abuja while presenting a Surveillance Vehicle donated by Katsina State Government to Federal Mines Office in the state, to the officer in charge of the office. He said that the ministry needed vehicles to effectively carry out surveillance in its operations “and prosecute the offenders.” He said that fighting the menace of illegal activities in the country should not be left to the  Federal Government alone and urged state governments to support the effort. “One of the states that we are celebrating their effort today is Katsina State government that donated brand new Toyota Hilux for the purpose of inspecting mining activities in Katsina State,’’ he said. “The vehicle we are launching today is strictly for mines inspectorate activities in Katsina State, to ensure that illegal mining in the state is brought under proper control as stipulated by the law. [eap_ad_1] “I thank the state government and we think that the gesture is what other state governments in the country can emulate. “It is not just enough to sit back and say that it is a Federal Government affair,” the minister said. He urged the states to take advantage of 13 per cent derivation as obtained in the oil producing states, saying that by law, it was also applicable to solid minerals producing states. He said that the fight against illegal mining would also help to eliminate the menace associated with such activities and boost the country’s revenue. According to him, revenue generated from the sector goes straight to the Federation Account and are used for the development of all tiers of governments. Sada commended the Katsina State government for the donating the vehicle, describing it as “welcomed development.” Receiving the vehicle, the Mines Officer in Katsina State, Malam Adamu Zakari, thanked the state government for the gesture. He said that the vehicle would enhance surveillance operations of the ministry in the state. (NAN) [eap_ad_4]