(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/minister_of_mines_and_steel_development_mohammed_musa_sada-300x240.jpg) In furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government to curtail the nefarious activities of illegal miners in the country, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has purchased and distributed six surveillance vehicles to enhance monitoring activities of mines officers at the mining sites in the country.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada who commissioned the six surveillance vehicles said that the land rover vehicles which were purchased at the rate of 8.5 million naira each can access mines sites which other vehicles cannot get into.
Arc. Sada said, "The purpose of the vehicles was the fact that they were the standard mining vehicles anywhere in the world, and there was the need to have one in each state of the federation to ensure proper monitoring".
He noted that one of the problems hindering the regulatory operation in the minerals and metals sector was the inability of mines officers to get into the far and remote areas where illegal mining operations are prevalent, adding that "if we are able to get any fund intervention from the government, we will be able to buy a large number of vehicles so that every state of the federation can have one".
While fielding questions from newsmen, the Minister assured that proper maintenance of the vehicles had already been put in place with the maintenance agreement reached with the company that supplied those vehicles.
While presenting the bunch of keys of the surveillance vehicles to the Southwest Zonal Mines Coordinator, Engr. Emmanuel Alagada on behalf of other beneficiaries, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Linus Awute said the Ministry appreciated the herculean task faced by Mines officers in reaching the mining sites in order for them to carry out monitoring.
The Permanent Secretary said efforts by the Ministry are in top gear to proffer solutions to those militating problems facing mining operations in the country.
He added that this gesture was aimed at increasing the revenue accruable to government from mining operations, enhancing the regulatory functions of government as well as reducing the rate of illegal mining operations in the country.
He expressed optimism that more surveillance vehicles were coming and that the ministry was being properly positioned towards the diversification of the economy of Nigeria.
The South West Zonal Mines Coordinator, Engr. Emmanuel Alagada who received the bunch of keys to the vehicles on behalf of other beneficiaries thanked the government for the kind gesture.
He said that illegal miners are in trouble and the presentation of the vehicles would go a long way at promoting operational activities at the sites, increasing revenue generation while the monitoring of explosive storage facilities will also be enhanced.
The first batch of mines surveillance vehicles were shared to Zamfara and Ogun States and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria