Kogiflame
The Federal Mining Officer (FMO) in charge of Kogi State, Engineer Mrs B.F Kuye says the Ministry will no longer tolerate the activities of unlicensed miners in the state.
Engineer Kuye who gave the warning in Lokoja during a Sensitisation Program and Strategic Meeting between licenced miners and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said unlicensed miners have contributed a lot of embarrassment to the mining sector and emphasised that the Ministry will henceforth deal only with recognised and licenced miners.
She said the Ministry expect licenced miners to get fermiliarised with the office after their mining site must have been inspected warning that the Technical Crew of the Ministry will henceforth enforce the decision taken at the meeting.
Engineer Kuye recalled the unfortunate incidence that occurred late last year when licenced miners patronised unlicensed miners in a bid to cover them up saying such situation will attract appropriate sanction.
While fielding questions with miners in the meeting, the FMO urged miners to sanitise the association as guided by the national excecitives to create a formidable association that can champion their interest.
On security aspect of miners on the field, Engineer Kuye urged miners to follow due process before the commencement of mining activities.
According to her, consent letter from families who owns the site must be received as well as that of the traditional rulers emphasising that they must not fail in their cooperate responsibilities and engagement of the natives in their activities.
In a remark, the President, Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr Dele Ayanleke who observed a minute silence for the immediate past Ohinohi of Ebira Land, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ado Ibrahim said the monarch in his life time was an astute member of the association.
He stressed the need for miners to do the needful expected of them professionally in order to achieve the best for members.
The National President who constituted a six man committee cutting across the three senatorial districts of the state urged them to review the activities of Miners Association to meet up with both local and national challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, the current Chairman of the state chapter of the association, Prince Yunusa Oruma who described the FMO as the best he has ever encountered noted that her passion towards professionalism has made members of the association to update their profile with the Ministry.
He thanked the FMO for a job well done and promised to work collaboratively with members to ensure strict compliance to the demands of the Ministry in order to move the association forward.
