We will not allow illegal miners to deny our legitimate earnings ― FG

THE Federal government has said that it will no longer fold its arm and allow illegal miners to deny her of legitimate earnings that will enhance revenue generation.

The Minister of State for Mining and Steel Development, Samson Ogar made the position of the Federal government know on Tuesday while on an inspection tour of Dangote cement factory, Obajana in Kogi state.

The Minister said that the Federal government under the leadership bog Major General Mohammadu Buhari has decided to embark on aggressive diversification program in view of the dwindling income from oil which is no longer enough to sustain the economy.

“In view of what is happening to oil in the international market, we can no longer rely only on oil as our source of revenue, there is need to explore other avenues to shore up our earnings and create jobs opportunity to our teeming youths.

According to him, the Federal government has machinery in motion to criminalise illegal mining activities in the country.

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“Government will no longer fold its arm and allow illegal miners to deny her of legitimate earnings that will enhance revenue generation” he said.

“We are not saying that Individual cannot mine, but we are saying come and legitimise your business by obtaining a proper licence and don’t deny us legitimate revenue that would enhance income and provide jobs for our youths.”

He expressed delight in Dangote group for keying into the diversification project of the present government.

The Minister said that Dangote’s efforts would go a long way to complement government efforts to increase revenue generation and provide employment for the teeming youths.

He noted that he was at the Dangote cement factory to explore the area of collaboration between the Federal government and the company with a view to assisting them to increase productivity and enable them to employ more people.

The company’s Executive director, DVG Edwin commended the Minister for the visit describing it as first of its kind when a top government official would be visiting the plant adding that the visit signifies a new begging which the company will leverage on.