EXTORTION WILL NOT HALT ENFORCEMENT AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED MINING – DELE ALAKE ASSERTS
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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has asserted that the Federal Government will not yield to coercion or media assaults in its endeavors to combat unlawful mining and ensure safety in the industry.
Speaking at a recent forum, Alake said the biggest challenges confronting the mining industry are not administrative but external, driven by individuals benefiting from illegal operations.
He said those opposed to the government’s reforms have resorted to smear campaigns and blackmail against the newly launched mine marshals, who are recording significant progress
His words: “The challenges that I’ve seen, in a nutshell, are not administrative at all, they are external.
Initially, regarding security, the endeavors we have undertaken thus far to mitigate or halt the surge of insecurity and illicit mining operations are encountering significant resistance from individuals profiting from these unscrupulous activities.
Alake said some operators have tried to discredit the mine marshals by accusing them of bribery, but none have provided any evidence.
He said: “In fact, some came to say that the leader of the mine marshals is asking them for a bribe and that they’ve paid him a bribe.
“I said, ‘Wow, this is what I’ve been looking for. Please give me the evidence.’
One individual remarked that he would return the following day with the proof. That was six months ago, and I have yet to see him.
He stated that the defamation campaign has infiltrated the media, with one television network compelled to issue an apology after disseminating unfounded allegations against the leader of the marshals.
“At one juncture, the individual approached me to convey that a certain outlet was extorting him.
“I inquired, ‘Well, did you engage in such behavior? ’ He replied, ‘No,’ he did not do it. I advised, ‘Alright, enlist a lawyer to take action against that outlet. ’ And he did.
“Forty-eight hours later, that same outlet, a TV station, publicly apologized because they were compensated to carry out the smear operation.
“And, of course, similar to every profession amid this decline, journalism also lacks balanced reporting,” he disclosed.
Alake affirmed that the ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to reform and is deriving strength from President Bola Tinubu’s position on accountability.
He proclaimed: “Our commitment is unwavering, and there is no turning back. I will not remove anyone from the mine marshals unless I obtain solid evidence of wrongdoing or misconduct.
“However, I am an individual who never succumbs to any form of extortion. No incentives can influence me in the least. Therefore, we are also addressing that challenge. ”
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