- Oshiomhole, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, maintained that very powerful people were behind illegal mining in the country.
Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, says concerted, conscious efforts and enforcement of stronger measure are needed to rid Nigeria of some persons pillaging and looting the country’s natural resources.
This is even as he said that superior power was needed to tackle illegal mining in Nigeria because the people involved in the illicit trade were powerful.
The former Edo State governor made this known during an interview with Arise Television on Tuesday,
Oshiomhole, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, maintained that very powerful people were behind illegal mining in the country.
According to Oshiomhole: “I would like to see government deploying the same amount of force in protecting our solid minerals and dealing with those who are involved in illegal mining just like illegal bunkering, with the same force of JTF to deal with anyone involved, because the people involved are powerful, only superior power can neutralise them.”
Recall that Oshiomhole recently said some retired generals were behind illegal mining.
But, Oshiomhole lamented that he was misquoted, stressing that he meant “some retired Generals” were involved and not all as was allegedly misconstrued.
He highlighted concerns about the unchecked activities of foreign and local actors involved in illegal mining.
Oshiomhole added: “I think sometimes the media takes statements out of context.
“It is absolutely impossible for anyone, particularly foreigners far away outside the African continent, coming to Nigeria, locating a site, not being geologists, and they go straight to where they can find solid minerals and they start mining it and they take it away.”
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