Tinubu reads riot act to operators in Nigeria’s mining sector

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned private companies and public servants cutting corners in the solid minerals sector to stop or face the wrath of the law.

President gave the warning while addressing participants at the 2nd edition of the three-day Africa Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Noting that the government welcomes genuine investors who share the administration’s vision, he stressed that it would punish economic saboteurs hindering ease of doing business and efforts to enable the sector to support the transformation of the economy.

Speaking on the conference theme, ‘Towards a Just Transition’, Tinubu emphasized the essence of mobilizing the country’s natural resources for the development of the people.

Represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government George Akume, the President revealed that Oladele Alake was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals to sanitize the sector, assuring that the Federal Executive Council adopted his seven-point agenda to turn around the industry.

Tinubu also encouraged the governors to forge a common front with the Federal Government to increase the contribution of mining to the economy, advising governors to resist the temptation to interfere in the legitimate businesses of licensed operators.

On his part, Alake called for a shift towards more sustainable practices in harnessing the country’s natural resources.

“At the heart of this summit, we find the idea of a ‘Just Transition’. This concept calls for us to ensure that as we shift towards more sustainable practices in natural resource development and energy production, no one is left behind.

“The just transition is about recognizing the needs of our workforce, communities, and economies that have long depended on traditional energy sources to establish and consolidate the forces of fostering inclusivity, providing alternatives, and equitably distributing the benefits of this transformation.

“The just transition demands that we address the social and economic challenges that may arise from shifting away from traditional energy sources. We must invest in workforce re-training, creating alternative employment opportunities, and supporting impacted communities. Africa must adopt policies that provide a safety net for those negatively affected by this transition,” Alake stated