The Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, John Onoja, has declared that Nigeria’s abundant mineral resources should serve as a source of prosperity rather than hardship for host communities, warning that illegal mining activities will no longer be tolerated.
Onoja made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, where he conveyed the message of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
He urged residents to embrace lawful mining by working only with mining companies that possess valid government licences, stressing that legitimate operations are essential to ensuring sustainable development and economic growth.
The NSCDC commander also called on host communities across the country to hold licensed mining firms accountable by reporting any operator that fails to honour its Community Development Agreement (CDA), a legal requirement aimed at ensuring mining communities benefit from mineral exploration.
According to him, the Federal Government has put in place a regulatory framework to protect the interests of host communities, and citizens should make use of the available channels to report violations.
“The mineral resources with which Ankpa has been blessed should not become a curse to the people. Following our engagement with the traditional council, anyone who continues to engage in illegal mining will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the law,” Onoja said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the NSCDC Mining Marshals to enforcing mining regulations and combating illegal mining activities in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
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