The EFCC boss in Ilorin, Michael Nzekwe, says the anti-graft body will partner the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to tackle illegal mining and mining royalties defaulters in Kwara and environ.
Mr Nzekwe made the pledge at the meeting with the Ilorin zonal commandant of the NSCDC, Ibrahim Muhammed, on Friday in Ilorin.
The EFCC chief said that the NSCDC was a strategic partner in the fight against corruption, saying it is part of their responsibility to check corruption and preserve sources through which government generate revenue.
He expressed delight over the cordial relationship between the commission and the corps, particularly the recent deployment of some of the personnel of the corps to assist the commission in guarding some of its forfeited assets spread across the three states under the command.
“We cannot sit back and watch people divert or pilfer what is meant for government to personal use.
“The law made it compulsory for miners to pay royalties to the federal government. The federal government is losing a lot to activities of the illegal miners not only in Kwara but in the nation generally.
“If due processes are followed and royalties are paid, not only will the federal government benefit, the state government is equally entitled to 13 per cent derivation of the royalty paid, to cater for and to its people,” Mr Nzekwe said.
He described the refusal of some of the miners to pay royalties as “economy sabotage”, saying that the agency will torchlight the activities of the illegal miners in Kwara, Ekiti and Kogi States, which are under zonal command, with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice.
Responding, the Kwara NSCDC boss, commended EFCC for promoting inter-agency synergy in the fight against corruption.
Mr Muhammed noted that the visit is part of familiarisation with military and para-military formations following his recent transfer to Kwara.
While also calling for further ties between the EFCC and the NSCDC, he said the collaboration became imperative as “no agency can do it alone.”
(NAN)
