The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been called to as a matter of urgency, intervene to curb the nefarious activities of illegal miners in Rivers.
The call was made by Licenced Miners in Rivers State under the aegis of Miners Association of Nigeria, Port Harcourt Branch during a courtesy visit to the Office of the EFCC in Port Harcourt to
the Acting Director, Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Adebayo Adeniyi led by the Chairman, Hope Daminabo Dan Opusingi.
The miners also urged the EFCC to beam its searchlights on alleged extortion by officials of the state government.
The Association decried the alleged harassment and extortion of registered miners in the state by some unscrupulous state government actors, whom he claimed often shut down their mining sites and impound their equipment without any legal backing.
He further observed that while numerous mining companies are operating in the State, only few, he said, are licensed and implored the EFCC to swing into action against the illegal mining companies.
According to him, “They are here, operating illegally and causing confusion in the mining sector.”
A statement by the EFCC Spokesman contained that The Commission, among other agencies, is a member of the Presidential Tax Force on Mining that was set up by the federal government in 2019.
In his response, Adeniyi, who was represented by Ude Nkechi Rita, thanked the Chairman and members of the Association for identifying with the Commission and assured them of a swift response.
He added that the EFCC will not only enforce the laws against the illegal mining but will also enlighten members of the association through workshops on the laws governing activities in the sector to enable them guard against extortion and harassment.
Head, Illegal Mining Task Force, Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Adamu Alhassan assured of his team’s readiness to sanitize the mining sector and sought the cooperation of the association.
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