In extending a warm welcome to the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Alake expressed admiration for his significant achievements in revitalizing the Interior ministry since assuming his position. Alake emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing the security challenges that currently afflict the mining sector.
In order to successfully advance the development of solid minerals within our nation, it is imperative that we confront the obstacles posed by insecurity, the detrimental presence of unauthorized miners, and the actions of undocumented immigrants who exploit our resources and illicitly divert funds that rightfully belong to our country. The Minister emphasized that the achievement of this goal is contingent upon establishing synergy with the Interior Ministry.
Buttressing the need to rebuild the security architecture to properly secure mining sites and its value chain, Alake repeated the commitment of President Tinubu in that regard, calling Hon. Ojo to join hands with him to make this a reality. The individual proceeded to provide his visitor with additional information regarding his prior interaction with the National Security Adviser (NSA) regarding the necessity for enhanced intelligence collection.
This was discussed in relation to the objective of safeguarding mineral resources and assets of potential investors in a more efficient manner.
The Interior Minister expressed his appreciation for the host's commendable endeavors in establishing a robust framework for the development of solid minerals within the nation.
He provided reassurance over his dedication to collaborating with the ministry in order to tackle concerns pertaining to insecurity and the unauthorized mining activities conducted by undocumented workers.
Solid resources possess the capacity to emerge as Nigeria's primary source of foreign cash, given the abundance of minerals present in commercially feasible amounts throughout the country.
The gold and limestone that we possess exhibit unparalleled quality in comparison to those found in other locations. Hence, it is imperative that we unite in order to effectively tackle the concerns you have brought out. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is responsible for safeguarding solid minerals, as it falls under its jurisdiction of protecting national resources. However, it appears that additional measures need to be taken to establish a specialized group of mine rangers who would be particularly authorized to ensure the security of mines and their associated assets.
In the future, it is recommended that a collaborative effort be established between the officials of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. This combined team would be responsible for devising strategies to enhance cooperation in addressing immigration matters and maintaining the adequate security of the mining sector. The Minister further emphasized the government's commitment to prioritize solid minerals as the primary source of revenue generation for the country, aligning with the strategy of economic diversification set forward by the Tinubu administration.
Dr. Alake conveyed appreciation to the Minister for expressing a desire to engage in a collaborative effort with his ministry. He emphasized that via this cooperation, the solid minerals sector has the potential to become a formidable contender to crude oil in terms of revenue creation.
