•Akinlade Olutunji
The National President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, Akinlade Olutunji, has said that no state governor in Nigeria has the legal right to ban mining activities in their states.
He said that the mining act is found in the executive list and under the control of the federal government, reports Daily Sun.
Olatunji spoke in Jos ahead of the 53rd council meeting of the NMGS scheduled to hold in Jos in March 2024, said with the controversy over the rights to mining activities, state governors has no right to ban mining but can legislate on mining activities but rather can legislate on matters regarding mining activities in their respective states.
According to him this issue of legality of mining activities is under the control of the Federal Government, which is found in the exclusive list.
He added that the Minister for Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has repeated this issue on several occasions while urging state governors as a matter of urgency, to take quality measures in guiding the activities of illegal miners in thier domain.
“Because of the challenges faced by the issue of mining across the country which had led to increased insecurity across the country, he called on stakeholders in the country to join hands together wit the federal government handling this challenge” He pointed out.
He said he believes that the mining sector has what it takes to boost the nation’s Grass Domestic Product of the country.
Olatunji said their objective of being in Jos and holding their forth coming national conference is to create the desired awareness on the activities of the mining sector in the state and as well draw the attentions of members of the practitioners in the mining sector that plateau being the home of solid minerals and what it holds will discuss issues in the sector.
He called on all and sundry to take advantage of the potentials that abound in the state to be part of this epic and unique program coming up in Jos the plateau state capital.
Speaking on the current security challenges confronting country, Olatunji appealed to government at all levels to give the necessary attention to mining activities in states across the country.
