The National President of Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji Sani Shehu, is seeking a robust relationship and partnerships with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the protection of the mining sector from the activities of illegal miners.

While on a courtesy call to the Commandant General of NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, at the NSCDC National Headquarters Abuja, the miners requested that for the purpose of effective relationship between the Corps personnel and miners, there is the need for establishment of a consultative committee of relevant stakeholders to monitor and control mining activities especially with regard to illegal mining operations in the country.

A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by NSCDC PRO, ACC Emmanuel Okeh, indicated that the miners also sought cooperation in the area of provision of training seminars/facilities officers and men of the Corps in the intricacies of mining operations and identification of the core elements of the industry to enable them effectively perform their duties.

Furthermore, he reiterated that it is necessary to create and maintain robust channels of communication between mine owners and officers of the Corps to avoid tensions in the mines field because of the volatile nature of mine workers.

The Commandant General assured the association of collaboration in the various areas of endeavourers especially in the specific areas that cover the operations of the Association in the mining industry.

The Commandant General said that the government was already working towards diversification of the economy; hence the Corps has set up the Solid Minerals Unit headed by a Commandant. The Corps helmsman also announced to his visitors that about 27 illegal mining sites had been closed by the Corps in Lagos, Edo, Taraba, Imo, Gussau, Plateau and other places.

The CG also informed his visitors of the visit of the Honourable Minister of Solid Mineral to Ministry of Interior seeking for the personnel of the NSCDC Corps to protect the mining sector against illegal miners.

The Commandant General assured that the Corps as a leading Agency in the protection of Critical Infrastructure and National Assets as well as Disaster Management and Mitigation will do everything possible to fulfil her core mandates of keeping the miners safe and conducive to boost the economy for national development.

Reassuring the Miners Association, the Commandant General said that in line with the request made, the Corps is fully ready to work with the association in actualising their requests and undercover personnel have since been deployed to the various mining sites across the nation for effective operation with a view of clamping down on illegal miners, identifying of mining sites and solid minerals that could affect the economic growth of the nation.

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