‘You Lack Power To Ban Mining Activities’, Minister Cautions Governors

The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has issued a stern warning to governors regarding their ability to ban mining activities within their respective states.

Alake firmly emphasized that governors lack the legitimate authority to interfere with mining operations in any state across the country.

The minister made these remarks during a pre-event press conference held in Abuja for the 8th annual Nigerian Mining Week 2023, scheduled from October 16th to 18th.

According to him, “For a state to claim it can regulate mining activities is akin to a state attempting to ban oil exploration, which is unequivocally illegal.”

Alake stressed that mining falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, as specified by the Constitution. He highlighted that no governor possesses the constitutional mandate to enact laws, regulations, or oversee solid minerals resources.

He further stated, “The blanket ban on mining activities by states nationwide is a contentious issue and a constitutional matter. I want to make it clear to the Nigerian public that no state, I repeat, no state, holds the authority to meddle in mining operations. This is not a matter of debate; it’s a constitutional fact.”

Alake underscored that mining is exclusively listed in the Federal Government’s legislative domain, firmly situated within the exclusive legislative list. In accordance with the Constitution, every item on this list is under the purview of the Federal Government.