President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Federal government will no longer tolerate illegal mining and other improper activities that have repressed the growth of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
In a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the president issued this warning after receiving a briefing from top officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development led by the Permanent Secretary, Baba Umar Farouk.
He said “This is one of the most demoralizing briefs I have received. The biggest threat to this country besides the Boko Haram is unemployment and the mining sector is key to employment creation.
“We cannot be held back on such a strategic industry that can give us much needed jobs and promote economic growth.
“There must be more seriousness in running this country and we are determined to instill that seriousness.”
The permanent secretary told the President that the mining sector has been flooded with illegal aliens who carry out unlawful mining activities in the country.
In another statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari has also directed the Ministry of Environment to undertake a rigorous study of Lake Chad in a view of finding ways to reverse the shrinking of the lake.
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