Governors are behind illegal mining in Nigeria - Minister of Mines

Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals Development, Olamilekan Adegbite on Friday October 18, disclosed that some Governors are behind theft of national resources through illegal mining.

The Minister was backed on the allegation by Senator Tanko Almakura, the Chairman of the senate committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy during an interactive session yesterday.

Adegbite further stated that the Governors behind the illegal mining also provide escorts for the illegal miners to access where they are raping solid minerals in their domain.

“When they (governors) send the people to go and do this, yes, they need the police. What do you expect a mining officer to do when the state government is backing this illegal mining?” Adegbite asked.

Daily Trust reported that he also said that the Nigerian government has gotten the assurance of a Russian firm that will be fixing the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Complex to diversify the economy. The Russian firm reportedly assured the Nigerian government of completing the project at their own cost to revive the steel complex.