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The Federal Government of Nigeria has said it would establish a special court, regionally sited, to try and prosecute illegal miners across the country.
Dr Uchechukwu Ogah,Minister of State, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development said this on Thursday in Obosi when he paid a visit to Igwe Chidubem Iweka.
“It will interest you to know that we are at the verge of setting up a regional court against illegal mining in the country.
“Once this court is established,if you are caught engaging in illegal mining, you will be tried and if convicted, sent to prison, there will be no option of fine.
“And if you go to prison for two years for criminal activities, your life is already messed up and you may never be relevant in the society again,” the minister warned.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister noted that the country is blessed with over 25 mineral deposits that could help change its fortune beyond where it is today.
He regretted that illegal mining activities and corruption was adversely affecting the country’s economy.
He noted that while the Federal Government was not stopping anyone from going into mining activities, the due process should be followed and mining licences obtained from relevant authorities.
The minister added that royalty should also be paid to the Federal Government to enable it meet its responsibilities across the federation.
He said the Federal Government had approved a 13 per cent derivation for minerals generated from states, like in the oil and gas sector.
The minister added that it was critical to ensure that states got their 13 per cent derivation and urged the traditional rulers in the country to help the Federal Government to restrain their subjects from illegal mining.
