The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake, has urged state governors to establish mining companies and apply for licenses.
This call was disclosed in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of a meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) held on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the communiqué, Alake emphasized that this decision stemmed from recent policies, institutional, and operational reforms initiated by the ministry to fully exploit the mining potentials of the country.
“He sought the cooperation of State governments in his drive to create an enabling business environment for investors, support artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives, address illegal mining, and de-risk the sector. The Minister encouraged State Governments to form mining companies and apply for mining licences,” the statement read in part.
However, while the governors said they “welcomed the reforms”, they advocated for stronger intergovernmental relations in coordinating the activities of the sector from licencing, surveillance, to operational safeguards.
Alake’s plea comes in response to reports of rampant illegal mining activities across the states of the federation.
Recently, Channels Television conducted an investigation into the illegal mining operations within the premises of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), sparking outrage from both the school’s administration and the public.
Subsequently, the minister inaugurated a security task force to identify and apprehend those involved in illegal mining activities, holding them accountable for their actions.
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