The commander, Ilorin zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Michael Nzekwe, has hinted on his preparedness to strengthen the existing collaboration between the commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in tackling illegal mining and non-payment of royalties by miners in Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti states.
He made this disclosure while playing host to the Kwara State commandant of the NSCDC, Ibrahim Muhammed, at the EFCC’s office in Ilorin.
Nzekwe, who described the NSCDC as a strategic partner in the fight against corruption, said: “One of the critical areas that we will want to seek your collaboration is in the area of illegal mining. As agencies of government, part of our responsibilities is to check corruption and preserve sources through which government generate revenue for the wellbeing of its citizenry. We cannot, therefore, sit back and watch people divert or pilfer what is meant for government to personal use.
“The law made it compulsory for miners to pay royalties to the federal government. The federal government is losing a lot to the activities of the illegal miners not only in Kwara State, but also in Nigeria. If due processes are followed and royalties are paid, not only that the federal government would benefit, the state government is equally entitled to 13 percent derivation of the royalty paid to cater for its people.”
The commander who described the inability of some of the miners to pay royalties as economic sabotage said, the command would check the activities of illegal miners in Kwara, Ekiti and Kogi states which are under his command with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice.
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