- says ‘citizen workers must prioritise patriotism over income’
The Nigerian Union of Mines Workers (NUMW) has mandated its members across the 36 states of the federation to cooperate with the Federal Government’s Task Force on Illegal Mining, codenamed “Operation Hayakin Kogoo,” which means smoking out illegal miners in the country.
The directive aims to strengthen the efforts of the government to end the menace in the country.
The National Executive Council of the Union gave the directive in a circular sent to its chapters across the states of the federation, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The circular, dated August 6, 2024 and signed by the National President of the Union, Comr. Hamza Mohammed, directed mine workers to provide services to only mining investors who fully satisfy the requirements of the law governing mining operations in the country.
The directive stated in part: “Based on the notice of commencement of Operation Hayakin Kogooo by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Union of Mines Workers hereby directs all its members across the federation to immediately cease from providing services to illegally operating miners until they obtain documents required for lawful operation.”
”Compliance with this directive is mandatory,” the document said.
According to Hamza, “the war against illegal mining calls for patriotism and should not be misunderstood as an exclusive responsibility of the government,” adding that “every Nigerian has a role to play, and we must be patriotic to fulfill the roles in order to put an end to decades of theft of the nation’s mineral resources.”
In a chat with our correspondent, the NUMW President reiterated the commitment of the union to responsible mining in the country, saying: “The Nigerian Union of Mines Workers is an affiliate of the Nigerian Labour Congress and strictly prohibits all forms of illegal mining activities.”
He defined illegal mining as the extraction of any minerals without obtaining necessary approval from the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development (MSMD),” adding that the union recognizes only miners who have the relevant permits and licenses issued by the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO).”
The directive tasked all miners to register and obtain valid identity cards as well as provide details of their location of operation, adding that the information will be used by the NUMW Head Office to create a database for the union.
While saying that the database will enable the establishment of a cooperative structure that is based on mineral type, he said it will allow recognized bodies to operate legally and appropriately remit royalty and taxes to the government.
