Obiano Warns Illegal Miners

Obiano Warns Illegal Miners 

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has warned illegal miners in the state to desist from the act or face the full weight of the law.

Governor Obiano gave the warning when he received a delegation from the Federal Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission at the Governor’s lodge, Amawbia.

The Governor noted that the activities of the illegal miners had given rise to erosion problems  in the state.

He stressed that huge revenue which according to him would have accrued to the state were lost through the illegal activity.

Governor Obiano called on legal miners in the area to work closely with government to ensure that their activities conformed with the state mining laws.

Governor Obiano appealed to the federal government to release part of the N 30 billion earmarked for research and geophysical survey to the state for the exploration of solid minerals.

The Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Science and Technology, Dr Chinedu Emeka stated that the perennial problem of illegal mining was fast depleting the soil surface in the state.

Earlier the leader of the delegation, Mr Casmir Anyanwu said they were in the state to sensitize the people on the need to harness the various solid minerals in the state.

Mr Anyanwu who is also a comissioner in the Commission, while stating that there were forty identified solid minerals in the country, said the aim of government in exploring the potentials in the mining sector was in furtherance of its diversification policy.

The leader noted that the Federal government had proposed to dole out N30 billion for research activities and geophysical survey throughout the federation.

He commended the State government for diversifing into agriculture, which according to him would contribute to food security in the country.