The Federal Mining Officer (FMO) in charge of Kogi State, Engineer Mrs B F Kuye, states that the Ministry will no longer tolerate the activities of unlicensed miners in the state.
Engineer Kuye, who issued the warning in Lokoja during a Sensitization Program and Strategic Meeting between licensed miners and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, emphasized that unlicensed miners have caused significant embarrassment to the mining sector. She further highlighted that the Ministry will henceforth deal only with recognized and licensed miners.
She expects licensed miners to become familiar with the office after their mining site has been inspected, warning that the Technical Crew of the Ministry will enforce the decisions taken at the meeting.
Engineer Kuye recalled the unfortunate incident that occurred late last year when licensed miners patronized unlicensed miners in a bid to cover them up, stating that such a situation will attract appropriate sanctions.
While fielding questions from miners in the meeting, the FMO urged miners to sanitize the association, as guided by the national executives, to create a formidable association that can champion their interests.
Regarding the security aspect of miners in the field, Engineer Kuye urged miners to follow due process before the commencement of mining activities. She emphasized that consent letters from families who own the site, as well as those of the traditional rulers, must be received. She stressed that they must not fail in their corporate responsibilities and engagement of the natives in their activities.
In a remark, the President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Ayanleke, who observed a minute of silence for the immediate past Ohinohi of Ebira Land, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, said the monarch, in his lifetime, was an astute member of the association.
He stressed the need for miners to fulfill the professional expectations required of them to achieve the best for members. The National President, who constituted a six-man committee cutting across the three senatorial districts of the state, urged them to review the activities of the Miners Association to meet both local and national challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, the current Chairman of the state chapter of the association, Prince Yunusa Oruma, who described the FMO as the best he has ever encountered, noted that her passion towards professionalism has motivated members of the association to update their profiles with the Ministry.
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He thanked the FMO for a job well done and promised to work collaboratively with members to ensure strict compliance with the demands of the Ministry to move the association forward.