…says committed to addressing challenges from the roots
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is awaiting the outcome of the painstaking forensic investigations into the Ibadan explosion that led to loss of lives and property before making a definite pronouncement.
This is contained in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Segun Tomori.
Tomori said the minister had immediately after the unfortunate Ibadan explosion swung into action to ascertain the real cause(s) of the blast.
Consequently, the Federal Government ordered forensic investigations to determine the real cause of the blast, the explosives type that triggered it, and the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident, in addition to the deployment of the State’s Mines Inspectorate to the scene of the explosion to join other security agencies in unravelling what led to the blast.
Tomori said the minister has also been at the forefront of working with the security agencies to unearth the cause and put mechanisms in place to avert a recurrence.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to point out that the present administration has not issued mining licence to anyone or entity in Oyo State so far,” Tomori said.
He said President Bola Tinubu last Wednesday went a step further to holistically address insecurity around Nigeria’s natural resources by constituting an inter-ministerial committee led by Dr. Alake to come up with a blueprint to effectively and efficiently secure solid minerals, forests, and marine economy, which constitutes the country’s natural resources.
The committee held its maiden meeting on Friday and has been working round the clock to draw up strategies of achieving the presidential mandate. In the coming days, there will be an expanded meeting with heads of security agencies, which will assist the committee in getting the requisite inputs that will guide it in turning in a robust report to the President.
“The Minister assures Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed to addressing challenges from the root, hence its resolve to await the outcome of painstaking forensic investigations on the Ibadan explosion before making a definite pronouncement,” Tomori said.
“Alake believes that in sensitive situations like this, the security agencies should be allowed to do their job, as against acting on speculations. That way, the people are better informed, culprits can be brought to book, and concerted efforts can be put in place to avoid a recurrence,” he said.
