FG won’t tolerate illegal mining —Buhari

President Muhamma­du Buhari has said the Federal Govern­ment will not tolerate ac­tivities of illegal miners in the county.

The president warned that the Federal Govern­ment will come down hard on illegal mining and other improper activities inhibiting the growth of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

Buhari issued the warn­ing after receiving a brief­ing from top officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development led by Permanent Secretary, Baba Umar Farouk.

Senior Special Assis­tant to the president on Media and Publicity, Gar­ba Shehu, confirmed the development.

He said the president noted that the mines and steel sector was very im­portant for diversifica­tion of the economy, and expressed displeasure at Farouk’s report that the sector had been overrun by illegal miners.

“This is one of the most demoralising briefs I have received. The big­gest threat to this country besides the Boko Haram is unemployment and the mining sector is key to em­ployment creation.

“We cannot be held back on such strategic industry that can give us much needed jobs and pro­mote economic growth.

“There must be more seriousness in running this country and we are determined to instill that seriousness,” the presi­dent said.

The permanent secre­tary had told the President that Nigeria’s mining sec­tor has been infiltrated by illegal aliens who carry out unlawful mining ac­tivities in the country.