News
Interior and Solid Minerals Development Ministries Collaborate to End Insecurity, Illegal Mining
Interior and Solid Minerals Development Ministries Collaborate to End Insecurity, Illegal Mining
By: Michael Mike
The Ministries of Interior and Solid Minerals Development have commenced a joint task to put an end to insecurity around mining sites across the country with the handling over of Mining Marshal from the former to the later.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Thursday formally handed over the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General’s Mining Marshal which was newly commissioned to ensure adequate security in the mining industry to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
The Interior Minister who expressed optimism that the squad will end illegal mining activities soon, was represented at the handing over ceremony by the Commandant General (CG) of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi.
The minister noted with satisfaction that the Corps had made unprecedented arrests of illegal miners including foreign nationals from China.
The squad code-named, ‘Operation Hayakinkoko’ according to the Minister is to smoke out all illegal miners who are responsible for the loss of huge national revenue from mining that is supposed to accrue from the sector.
“We are losing huge amounts of revenue from illegal mining activities”, Olubunmi stated.
The 60-member Mining Marshal, also known as the starter group was presented the the Minister of Solid Minerals Development with membership drawn across state commands based on credibility, and trained for effective service delivery under the Command of CSC John Onoja Attah, and would be replicated in all the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
On his part, the Commandant General of NSCDC assured the minister of bringing the activities of illegal miners to an end and hinted that already, the Corps discretely has a record of illegal mining sites in the country.
Also speaking in a welcome address, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, expressed delight in the quick response of the NSCDC by making available its personnel who are trained to address the menace of insecurity and ensure that only registered operators exist in the mining industry.
Alake who described the presentation/handing over of Mining Marshal to his ministry as symbolic and epitome of all that had been discussed at the inter-ministerial committee set up by President Bola Tinubu, applauded the Corps for bringing his ministry’s plan to fruition.
On assumption of duty in the ministry, he revealed part of his 7-point agenda in line with the renewed hope of Mr President was to create Mines Police to address insecurity in the sector, and expressed delight with the provision made by NSCDC irrespective of the nomenclature.
The Minister said the expectation of the present government is for solid minerals to contribute over 50 per cent of the nation’s revenue and decried nefarious activities of illegal mining which must be kept in check.
He maintained an inter-ministerial committee comprising ministries of Mining and solid minerals, Blue Economy, Interior and Police Affairs to fashion out ways to sanitise the industry and since then, members of the committee had worked relentlessly noting that the Marshal formed by the NSCDC and subsequent interventions by other agencies are all efforts in addressing challenges in the mining sector.
Other highlights of the event were the presentation of goodwill by the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Mining, Hon. Jonathan Gbefwi who assured the Ministry and stakeholders of the National Assembly’s support.
The legislator said with the commencement of security protection of the sector economic fortune of the country will change positively against the regrettable practice whereby local minerals are even smuggled out of the country.
Interior and Solid Minerals Development Ministries Collaborate to End Insecurity, Illegal Mining
News
Borno State Government To Allocate 113 Hectares Of Land to Estate Developers For Various Projects
Borno State Government To Allocate 113 Hectares Of Land to Estate Developers For Various Projects
By: Halima Abatcha
The Borno State government plans to allocate 113 hectares of land to private developers to address the pressing need for affordable housing and economic city in the State.
This decision was announced by the Executive Secretary Borno Geographic Information Service during a meeting with Green Path Development.
Briefing the Private Developers, Engr. Bababe said, the land, part of a larger 2000-hectare area near the newly flagged-off Maiduguri Ring road, will be used to construct 1000 houses.
According to him this initiative aligns with Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s urban renewal agenda which prioritizes the revitalization of urban spaces and the improvement of living conditions for residents across Borno State.
By targeting the construction of 1000 houses Engr. Bababe added, the government aims to provide housing solutions that are accessible to a wider segment of the population, thereby mitigating the housing challenges faced by many residents in the state.
He further charged Green Path Development to submit detailed project proposals for review and approval by the government and also urged them to consider the cultural aspects of Maiduguri and design projects that resonate with the local culture.
The Group managing Director Green Path Development Dr. Babagana Mohammed, applauded Governor Zulum for engaging the private sector by allocating them land to construct 1000 houses.
He expressed dedication to delivering top-notch housing solutions using high-quality materials, implementing modern construction techniques, and ensuring compliance with local building codes and land regulations within the agreed-upon timeframe while meeting the needs and expectations of the community.
Contributing, Architect Mustapha Gambomi, Engr. Abubakar Sandabe and Mr. Lanre elaborated on their approach, which involves conducting thorough site assessments, designing layouts that optimize space and functionality, and assured to consider other factors while executing the project.
Borno State Government To Allocate 113 Hectares Of Land to Estate Developers For Various Projects
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim At Bauchi/Plateau Border
By: Our Reporter
Troops of Operation Safe Haven on Thursday, May 8 (correct the date), rescued a kidnap victim, Bala Musa, from a terrorists haven at Bulli village along the Bauch/Plateau states border.
The troops, responding to a distress call by locals, swooped on the the terrorists in a decisive operation to clear the adjoining communities along the border of all terrorists and other criminals.
They swooped on the Bulli high ground along the Gindiri (Plateau) – Lere (in Tafawa-Bakewa LGA) road along the border in swift response to a distress call and tip by a local who had sighted one of the terrorists buying food items at a nearby village, Bulli.
The Tunri high ground, Bulli and other adjoining communities have constituted dreaded flashpoints of the gunmen and other criminals terrorizing the Bauchi/Plateau neighbouring communities.
Acting on the tip by the local, troops, which first cleared Tunri high ground, diverted to Bulli, where they mowed down the terrorists and save Bala Musa, a citizen of Kano State, who was enroute back home.
His prompt rescue saved enabled his family to save a whooping N3 million they had collected, and were already on their way to pay as ransome to his kidnappers fir his release.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim At Bauchi/Plateau Border
Troops nutrialised two terrorists, recover weapons in Chibok
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 117 Battalion Operation Hadin Kai in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force(CJTF), nutrialised two Boko Haram terrorists during a fighting patrol along Wuro Jabbe axis in Chibok LGA.
It was gathered that the troops engaged the Terrorists with a high volume of fire, killing two of them and forcing others to withdraw toward the forest.
Zagazola understood that the troops initiated pursuit and exploited the general area. They recovered arms in the aftermath of the patrol.
Troops nutrialised two terrorists, recover weapons in Chibok
Borno State Government To Allocate 113 Hectares Of Land to Estate Developers For Various Projects
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim At Bauchi/Plateau Border
Troops nutrialised two terrorists, recover weapons in Chibok
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