I have mandate to sign all mining licenses in Nigeria no one else, Fayemi declares

THE Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Monday, declared that by the virtual of his portfolio and the authority of President Muhammadu Buhari, no one else has that power to sign mining licenses in Nigeria except him.

He therefore insisted that only one company has mining lease to carry out mining activity at Zurak in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The minister further reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to discouraging the activities of illegal miners and its environmental degradation, urging the community and its leadership not to collaborate with unauthorised persons or groups carrying out illegal mining in their domain.

Dr Fayemi disclosed this during a meeting with the leaders of the community shortly after 16 Chinese and eight Nigerians were arrested for illegal mining in the area and the shutting down of two companies notorious for illegal mining.

In the weekly bulleting of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, a copy of which was obtained by the Tribune Online in Abuja, the minister said “the minority in your community are colluding with these criminal gangs that have taken over your land, enough is enough.

“In our record, and by the special grace of God and the authority of Mr President, it is my duty to sign all mining licenses in Nigeria, no one else has that authority and I can tell you as I stand here that only one company has a mining lease in the whole of these area.

“That company is called Tongay, there is no other company, whether it is called solid unit, or it’s called geotess or it’s called anything”, the minister insisted.

The minister’s position was contrary to claims by one of the companies shut in the wake of the visit by the minister and the National Security Adviser to the President, Brigadier General Babagana Munguno to Zurak that it had a valid license.

Dr Fayemi insisted that his office never authorized Dan China’s company to carry out mining activities in the area.