FG to sanction illegal miners in Akwa Ibom

The Federal Government has warned that it would stop at nothing to prosecute illegal miners of sand and solid minerals in Akwa Ibom State.

New Telegraph reports that this followed petitions to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development by the people of Ikot Ukpong Iman in Etinan Local Government Area of the state, where activities of illegal miners had devastated the community.

Consequently, the ministry has ordered immediate stoppage of sand dredging on the site, saying such illegal activities contravened sections 33, 75, 76, 93 and 94 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.

New Telegraph reports that according to a statement signed by Owuna Moses Bassey, of the Inspectorate Department of the ministry, “failure to comply with this order will lead to arrest and impounding of the equipment you are using to perpetrate this illegal act. “

Thereafter, you will still face serious legal action in accordance with section 146 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 that empowers this Ministry to arrest without warrant anyone mining or using solid minerals illegally,” he added.

Source: New Telegraph