The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite says the NSCDC is contributing very significantly to the actualization of the economic diversification program of Government as the nation moves from the over-dependency on oil to other sectors such as mining and agriculture.

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Minister stated this during a courtesy visit to the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja.

He commended the Corps for being exceptional in performance and result-oriented in the line of duty.

“There is a need to protect the nation’s solid minerals from illegal miners to prevent huge economic losses and maximize profits, thus far, the NSCDC has performed excellently well in protecting these God-given resources from the hands of wasters and I have come to thank you for doing this great job”. Says the Minister.

The minister affirmed that solid minerals like gold, lead, limestone, diamond, and lithium are found in large deposits all over the country and there is a need to tap its full potential to help boost the country’s GDP and hasten development in the country.

The minister charged the Corps to do more for the country and not reneged in ensuring adequate protection and preservation of mining sites from illegal miners sabotaging the economy.

He cited notable examples of how the Corps was able to dislodge about 19 Chinese illegal miners from Osun State.

In his response, the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi appreciated the Minister for the visit and reassured him that, the Corps will not rest on its oars until it put an end to illegal mining through a renewed onslaught against the enemies of the nation.

Dr Audi further stated that as the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the country, it has placed the sector under watch and warned all illegal and artisanal miners without licenses to obtain the license or quit the business completely as NSCDC will be coming after them in full force.

He said the problem associated with illegal mining is multi-dimensional, aside from wastage and loss of revenue for the government, it causes a human and environmental catastrophe, which is the reason the NSCDC is taking bold steps in addressing the challenges with renewed vigor.