Miners write FG, seek intervention over operations

*Accuse security agencies of extortion

Commercial miners, under the aegis of Truck Drivers’ Association of Nigeria and Carting Association of Nigeria have appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to save their profession, following threat to their business.

The group, in a news conference in Bwari, FCT, Abuja, on Monday, said that they have, before now, been denied access to the Gurara River, where they get natural building materials for commercial uses.

Chairman of Commercial Miners’ Association, Mr. Sanusi Uba, said that the river has been a source of livelihood to over 50 of their members; and blocking the road to the site had denied them means of survival.

He said, “We are legally, licensed to mine at the Gurara River, here in Kaduna and Abuja; and the road that leads to this river is a federal road.

“We are appealing to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in particular, who we are aware, are responsible for this closure to please, consider us.

“We are aware that the government is trying to protect the agricultural equipment situated along the road, but they must also put us into consideration that this also leads to our source of livelihood.’’

He urged the government to allow them to continue doing their business.

“In fact, we have been able to provide job opportunities to a number of youths in this area.

“As a statement of fact, my association was able to pay N2.9 million into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“We recently spent N8.5m on the maintenance of this road, because we are the ones using it mostly, he said.

Also speaking, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, Chairman of the truck drivers, said the situation has crippled their businesses for too long; and the government has remained adamant on the issue.

He, however, said that if the situation remained the same for too long, it may have a negative impact on some of the workers, whom he feared, may not have food on their tables.

While alleging some sharp practices by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), who were sent to guard the area, Adamu said most times, they extorted the drivers before allowing them passage into the area.

However, efforts to speak with the ministry of water resources over the allegations raised by the group, met with no response, as no official was ready to respond to the allegation.

By Idu Jude, Abuja