Niger State Miners Disagree With Federal Govt Over Ban On Mining

Chairman of Nigeria Miners Association, Niger State chapter, Alhaji Mohammed Mambo, has disagreed with the federal government’s planned policy on banning of mining activities and motorcycles in Nigeria.

Mambo told journalists in Minna yesterday that the ban will only cause more havoc and create unemployment among the teeming youths and women in the mining industry in the country.

He said thousands of people are benefiting from the mining sector of the economy and any attempt to ban mining and motorcycle would be counterproductive because it will provide avenue for the recruitment of more youth into banditry, terrorism and other social vices.

He said the best way to get out of the security challenges is for the federal government to support security agencies in ensuring effective intelligence gathering to curb the current security challenges bedeviling the nation.

Also, the representative of women in mining, Khadijat Alimashawun lamented the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari administration to ban mining. She pleaded with the federal government to come to their aide, adding that miners in Niger State are well-coordinated, registered and licenced.

A critical stakeholder, Babangida Sani said that Nigerians should be able to differentiate between bandits, terrorists and kidnappers from miners who are carrying out their legitimate business. He expressed surprise that recently President Muhammadu Buhari called for diversification of the Nigerian economy to mining resources and at the same time planning to ban mining activities in the country.