The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah, has accused has accused owners of private jets in the country aid the smuggling of illegally mined gold from parts of Nigeria.
He said the situation is further worsened by the connivance of security agencies with the offenders, host communities collaboration, low level of application of technology and negative mindsets of Nigerians to Nigeria .
He disclosed these in Abuja when he presented the ministry’s position at an investigative hearing on $9billion lost annually to illegal mining and smuggling of gold.
The event organised by the Senate Commitee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy
He said: “Gold Smuggling in Nigeria are often done using Private Jets , the very reason why private jets ownership and operations need to be streamlined in the country.”
Lamenting that gold smuggling and illegal Mining robs the country of billions of dollars annually, he opined that the menace was caused by the inability of indigenous workers to obtain mineral titles and required technology used by British miners before the indigenization policy .
Ogah advocated the need for capital punishment for offenders of gold smuggling in the country.
“For these crimes to be fought decisively, potent punitive measure like capital punishment, need to be legally provided for,” he said.
He added that gold smuggling can be nipped in the bud through establishment of Mines Police , Special Court or Tribunals to try offenders , adequate funding for the Ministry and positive mindsets of Nigerians to Nigeria.
He said:”The main crux of the matter is for us to be Nigerian by seeing ourselves as Nigerians in all circumstances .Doing this , will make us see mineral resources in our communities as collective wealth of all Nigerians that must not be illegally explored by anybody within or from outside the country”
