Ogun plans stiff sanctions for illegal miners

The Ogun State government has warned illegal miners and dredgers will face stiff sanctions, as it is prepared to take legal action against anyone who engages in the activity within the state.

The Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Adebola Sofela, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, issued the warning during a miners and dredgers stakeholders meeting held in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, according to a statement.

Sofela’s warning extended to miners and dredgers operating with expired documents, as he stated how irresponsible mining and dredging are destructive to the community and state’s infrastructure.

The commissioners appealed against the illegal acts by encouraging the stakeholders to see mining and dredging as important sectors that attract revenue.

“Mining is a win-win thing if done responsibly, but destructive and disruptive when it is irresponsibly carried out, given the monumental financial effects it has on government and the community at large,” the commissioner said.

He said the state government had tolerated the activities of illegal miners and dredgers but warned they would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“The note of warning I am giving today indicates that it will not be business as usual going forward. If you get arrested for illegal mining and dredging, you will face the full wrath of the law,” Sofela said.

The commissioner called for an immediate screening of operators’ papers to deter miners and dredgers with expired documents.

One of the stakeholders, Ebenezer Aina, said the miners and dredgers would align with the state government’s directive.

Aina commended the minister’s efforts at ensuring standard practices were adhered to in mining and dredging operations.