The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday, has approved the purchase of 38 units of four-wheel Nissan patrol vans for the Mine Inspectorate Division of the Ministry of Mines and Steel, totaling N326.781 million
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Sulaiman Adamu; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, gave a brief summary on the outcome of the meeting for the purchase of the vehicles.
Fayemi stated that so far no vehicle has been bought in that Ministry, and the procurement of this will help tackle illegal mining activities and other various mobile challenges in the sector.
The Chairman, Zuma West Africa limited, Mr Innocent Ezuma, applauded the move to buy the vehicles but still urged the government to go beyond vehicle purchase.
He stated that miners should be properly equipped with safety boots, clothing and walkie-talkies, so as to enable easy communication and effectiveness on the job.
Fayemi also added that the move was aimed at strengthening the automobile industry through the purchase of vehicles for the prisons, immigrations and EFCC.
He also said that this move by the government will help checkmate any illegal activities that may be happening in the mining sector.
The vehicles are meant to be sent to the states, with each getting one while Lagos gets two vehicles.
