FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – The Nasarawa State Government has arrested the Manager of a Lithium mining firm, Trimadix Geomin Consult Limited for operating illegally in the state.
Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Yakubu Kwanta who led a joint team of security agencies consisting of the Police, DSS, and NSCDC on the operation, told journalists during the operation in Amba Kure community of Kokona LGA that the manager was arrested for operating the site despite being shut down.
He explained that the firm was shut down in June 2024 for operating without community consent as well as state government approval.
“Instead of the management of the company visiting our office to address the problem and follow the laid down regulations of mining in the state, they went behind to continue operation.
“We got information that they entered the site in the night and started blasting. That is why we mobilized and stormed the place immediately.
“They are bragging that they have the backing of some prominent persons in the country and that the state government cannot stop them from operating.
“We will no longer tolerate any act of economic sabotage capable of dying us the desired revenue and constituting a security threat,” Kwanta added.
The Commissioner further explained that, Gov. Abdullahi Sule had recently directed the ministry to go after illegal miners and flush out crimes and criminality within the sector.
He added that some highly placed persons are colluding with some of the mining firms to undermine the effort of the state government to sanitize the sector.
“The natural resources are supposed to be a blessing to our people, so any company coming to mine in the state must get the community consent and government’s approval to enable the community and state benefits.
“We will not allow our people to be shortchanged by anybody, no matter how highly placed,” the commissioner said.
He, therefore, called on miners and mining firms to register with the state government before they begin operation to avoid sanction.
Signed
Ari, Liman Aminu.
Head of Centre,
FIC, LAFIA.
