March 19, 2024

Ogun state exposes activities of foreign miners

0

Ogun state exposes activities of foreign miners

Ogun state exposes activities of foreign miners

…warns against illegal miners 

Oredola Adeola

The Ogun State Government has revealed plans to clamp down on the  activities of foreign miners, some of whom are, according to government’s  statements,  deceptively presenting their local representatives as owners of  the mining companies in order to get  speedy approvals for their small-scale mining operations in the state.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe, made this disclosure at a mining stakeholders’ engagement meeting at the ministry’s Conference Room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, the ministry’s Director of Investments, Mr. Tunji Akinbo,  said the government is aware of the various antics of foreign miners in the state.

 He said that  current administration  was  committed  to ensuring operators, whether local or foreign, comply fully with mining regulations given by regulators of the sector.

The state Government, he said, is set to speedily address the various sharp practices perpetrated by foreign miners which have been hindering the operations of indigenous miners.

“Ogun State would not tolerate any act that hinders the principle of fairness to all legitimate miners in the State. We are going to nip this challenge of foreigners engaging in small-scale mining in the bud.
“We will ensure they comply with all the terms of the approval given to them because it is important to us that the business of our indigenous miners thrives. This government will not allow local miners and other local business operators in the State’s mining sector to be short changed or eliminated in the value-chain.”

She  also stated that the ministry was fashioning out appropriate strategies to address the exorbitant cost of mining equipment which has been preventing local mining operators from sustainable mining.
She added that the ministry has been relating with relevant agencies and other stakeholders to curb illegal mining operations both in broad daylight and at night, as well as other issues raised by miners in the state, calling on the operators in the sector to reciprocate government’s efforts by eschewing all forms of resentment, tax evasion and every other act capable of undermining the state’s status as an investment destination of choice.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *