The Kogi State House of Assembly has officially inaugurated the Committee on Solid Mineral and Sustainable Development Goals, vows to flush out illegal miners.
Chairman of House Committee on Solid Mineral, Sustainable Development Goals and member representing Ijumu State Constituency, Hon. Omotayo Adeleye Ishaya, vowed that any illegal miners caught operating in Kogi State will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
“Gentlemen of the press, you all know how we women are. Whenever we want to do things, we do it thoroughly, without fear or favour. We have put so many measures to curb some sharp practices as they concern mining activities in our dear State.
“It has come to the notice of this hallowed chamber that there are some companies extracting our God-given resources without following due process. It is on this premise we are sounding a note of warning that it will no longer be business as usual.
“We will come after them no matter how highly connected they are. The eight Assembly will fetch them out from their hiding place. The committee will ensure that things are done properly to increase the internally generated revenue of Kogi State,” she stated.
The member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, Hon. Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin, had earlier posited that the committee is set to hit the ground rolling by performing its oversight functions as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.
He submitted that the Kogi State is blessed with so many natural and mineral resources, hence the need for the various agencies to work in synergy for the overall development of Kogi State.