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Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has reaffirmed the significance of host communities and traditional rulers to the conducive environment required for socio-economic development of host communities.
Alake stated this while playing host to Attah of Igala and President of Kogi State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Ata Matthew Opaluwa, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently.
While stressing the need for host communities to take ownership of mining activities and collaborate with government to ensure efficient mining operations, Alake restated the commitment of the Federal Government to protect and ensure rights of communities.
“Whatever we can do to ensure a peaceful, operating environment, we will do. We also need the cooperation of locals in partnering with government to ensure better security. If we have peace around mining operations, we will be able to attract more investments in the mining sector. The government, on its part, is rejigging the security architecture to address contemporary security challenges beseting the sector and also factoring royalties for communities into every mining operation,” he said.
The Ata of Igala, in his remarks, commended the minister for his efforts this far, in repositioning the mining sector.
He, however, noted that unlicensed miners and those operating without requisite agreement with host communities remains an albatross, posing security challenges to locals. The monarch sought the intervention of the minister in addressing this whilst also advocating for prominent roles for host communities paramount rulers to protect the interest of the people.
Responding, Alake assured HRH Opaluwa that the ministry’s mines inspectorate would be strengthened to ascertain authenticity of mining agreements, promising inclusion of traditional rulers in the agreement signing on behalf of host communities.
To ensure the payment of due royalties and protection of community rights, the minister revealed that plans are underway to reposition the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) for optimum efficiency.