By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a strong partnership with local and international stakeholders in solid minerals development, with the goal of improving mining practices and strengthening activities in the sector.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chief Abosede Olaitan Buraimoh, made this known during a meeting with officials of the State Operational Office of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) at her GRA office in Ilorin, the state capital.
Buraimoh said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration is dedicated to enforcing environmental safety compliance and security measures at mining sites. She explained that this has driven the government’s decision to work closely with relevant agencies to provide a safe operating environment for both current and prospective investors in the state.
Head of Operations at the State Operational Office of the NNRA, Engr. Olasinde Surajudeen Tayo, stressed that the authority is responsible for safeguarding life, health, property, and the environment from harmful effects of ionising radiation.
He stated that NNRA’s regulatory oversight covers several sectors, including nuclear facilities, the petroleum industry, mining, manufacturing, health, agriculture, and research.
Tayo appealed for closer collaboration with the Kwara State Government to protect residents from the dangers posed by both legal and illegal mining activities. He explained that such cooperation would ensure the safe development of the state’s mineral resources while protecting the people and the environment from potential radiological threats.
He called on stakeholders to provide the authority with vital information to improve regulatory performance, strengthen oversight, and enhance mining operations for the overall benefit of the state’s citizens.
