Lawmakers Accuse Govt officials, Traditional Rulers of Aiding, Abetting Illegal Mining
The Chairman of the Nasarawa House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Mr Adamu Omadefu, has, during a recent plenary session in Lafia on a motion of public importance accused officials of the Nasarawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, along with traditional rulers of abetting illegal mining activities within the state.
Omadefu (APC, Keana) described the situation as worrisome and called for a concerted effort among stakeholders to eliminate illegal mining in Nasarawa State.
Adding to the discussion, Musa Ibrahim, a former Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources and current representative of Doma South Constituency, explained that illegal miners cannot operate without the knowledge of officials.
Ibrahim alleged that government officials and community leaders are being bribed with U.S. dollars to facilitate these illegal activities.
Mr Onarigu Onah Kana (SDP, Loko/Udege) echoed these sentiments, noting that traditional rulers are also implicated in contributing to the menace of illegal mining in the state.