FCT plans to place embargo on mining activities over insecurity

The Federal Capital Territory(FCT) is collaborating with the Ministry of Mines and Steel to place an embargo on mining activities in Abuja.

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, said this on Wednesday in a statement titled ‘Security: Aliyu cautions traditional rulers against illegal miners’ by her Special Adviser on Media, Austine Elemue.

The statement quoted the FCT minister as saying, “The administration is collaborating with the Ministry of Mines and Steel to put an embargo on mining activities in the nation’s capital.

“I want to use this forum to remind our royal fathers that the seat of the Federal Government is here, the fabric of Nigeria’s existence is here. Therefore, I want to passionately appeal that let us not open the territory to foreigners in the guise of mining activities.

Read also: Nigeria loses about $3bn to unregulated mining activities- NEITI

“They might offer us Greek gifts; they will offer to develop our communities. It might look golden to us; they will offer us money in exchange for our freedom and our land. Do not accept such offers, rather report such to security agencies for immediate action.

“Please let us save our territory, let us save our people, let us save our patrimony, let us save our right to live peacefully and coexist. It is better than silver and gold.

“I am appealing to our royal fathers to please watch out and report immediately, any of these activities or any foreign body within your domain. We cannot allow what is happening in Zamfara and other states to happen in the seat of government.”

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