Mining
By Isaiah Eka
Uyo, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Mining Geosciences Society (NMGS) has called on the Federal Government to ensure adequate funding of mines offices across the federation to tackle illegal mining activities.
NMGS President, Prof. Akinade Olatunji, made the call at a press conference to mark the 255th council meeting of the society in Uyo on Friday.
Olatunji said that there was need for the engagement qualified staff at mines offices to ensure proficiency in service delivery.
He said that illegal mining had led to environmental degradation and deaths in different parts of the country.
The NMGS President further called for the provision of logistic vehicles for federal mines offices to ensure effective operations.
“The issues of inadequate funding and lack of facilities are having adverse effects on the operations of mines offices.
“Illegal mining does not take place in the city centres, they are done in remote areas with bad roads.
“Federal mines offices are supposed to be equipped with vehicles and personnel. They are supposed to have sufficient running costs to do the job,” he said.
Olatunji, said that mines offices must be made functional if the government was serious about curbing illegal mining activities.
“Government should stop paying lip service to the issue illegal mining activities. As society, we frown at illegal mining, it is unproductive,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IE/AYO/AZU
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Edited by Ayodeji and Azubuike Okeh
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