The Nigerian Union of Mines Workers (NUMW) has welcomed the appointment of Gen. Christopher Musa as the Minister of Defence, describing it as a “very correct move”.
The Union believes his leadership will help address security challenges in the country, particularly in the mining sector. The union is also willing to collaborate with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to ensure a safe working environment and promote development in the sector.
The union also commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Gen. Musa.
Speaking to our correspondent on Friday, in Abuja, the President of the Union, Comrade Hamza Muhammad expressed optimism that it will do much to address current security challenges in the country.
Discussing how the appointment of Gen. C. G. Musa will impact the Nigerian mining sector, Hamza described Gen. Musa as a fine General who earned recognition for his meritorious services to the nation in the area of security.
While commending the federal government for establishing the Mining Marshals, a specialised security outfit put in place by the government to range the mines fields in order to address illegal mining, encouraged the new Minister of Defence to consider collaborating with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in order to strengthen the Marshals and ensure the growth and development of the sector and country.
“We commend President Tinubu for appointing President Gen. C. G. Musa as Minister of Defence. As union and affiliate of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), we are willing to work with the ministries toward ensuring that our workplaces in the minerals sector are safe, and towards the development of our dear country,” he said.
“General C. G. Musa is highly recommended, and we are optimistic that he will demonstrate the needed competence to tackle insecurity in the country.
“As a national trade union of the minerals sector, we encourage the ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Ministry of Defence to work together towards strengthening the Mining Marshals.
“It is true that the government is succeeding in addressing the challenge of economic sabotage in the minerals sector.
“There is a need to continue to strengthen the Mines Marshals and ensure that they are equipped for challenges that will arise,” he added.
