Kwara State government on Tuesday reiterated its support for the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in checking illegal mining activities in the state.
The state commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Hon. Abdulqowwiy Olododo gave this assurance when he led the management staff of the ministry on a courtesy call to the zonal commander, Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, Michael Nzekwe, in Ilorin, the state capital.
Olododo disclosed that, “the government of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is determined to declare a state of emergency in the mining sector with a view to ensuring that money realised from the sector is used for the development of the state.”
The commissioner while passing a vote of confidence on the EFCC for its courage and doggedness in fighting illegal mining in the state said that, “the governor is firmly in support of what EFCC is doing particularly its efforts in checking unauthorized mining activities and other economic crimes in the state.”
He said, “The government is not unaware of the challenges you are facing in carrying out this arduous task. The government of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is determined to compliment your efforts as it is focused on how to properly organise and harness the potentials in the mining sector to attract local and foreign investors.”
Olododo said that he was aware of all the commitments made so far by the EFCC even before he assumed duty as the commissioner in charge of solid minerals development, adding that, “so, I have come to say a big thank you to the EFCC for all that you have been doing to make Kwara better.”
The commissioner while urging the EFCC not to relent its efforts at ridding the state of corruption called for more collaboration and synergy among agencies of government especially for the ongoing anti-corruption crusade by the EFCC.
Earlier, the EFCC zonal commander, Nzekwe had described Olododo’s visit as ‘timely and first of its kind’ after his assumption of office as commissioner about a month ago.
