The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has applauded the recovery of 200 mining sites from illegal miners and bandits by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Chukwudi Enekwechi and Secretary Shedrach Sunday, the group described it as not only the beginning of a new lease of life in the bandit ravaged areas but also a breakthrough that is bound to improve mining activities in the affected areas of the country.
TMV said: "With the recovery of these sites by a team of specialized NSCDC operatives, more licensed miners and genuine investors will be confident enough to invest more in the sector, with its concomitant positive effects on the economy.
"We note that the setting up of mining marshals by the NSCDC for the monitoring, security, and safety at the country’s mining sites will restore sanity and regulate mining activities in Nigeria
"There is no doubt that the country’s mining industry is already witnessing a turnaround as Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the chaotic nature of the mining sector in the recent past.
"Regrettably, such activities were carried out with numerous security challenges, but we are delighted that with President Bola Tinubu in the saddle, the situation is gradually turning around.
"The result is that leading global mining investment entities are showing interest in Nigeria’s mining sector, which the federal government has put the potentials at about $700 billion. Worthy of note also is that the federal government recently organized an investment road show on the sector in South Africa with the aim to attract $500 million of investments.
"We also acknowledge that with the positive impact being witnessed in the sector, so many job opportunities will be created for Nigerians. In totality, we believe that the holistic security measures being implemented by the Tinubu administration would help enhance the economic development of the country.
"We therefore applaud the federal government for its laudable efforts at curbing insecurity in Nigeria, as recently disclosed by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The NSA had listed some of the gains of the President Tinubu administration to include taming the nefarious activities of terrorists group including Lakurawa, which operates in the Kebbi-Sokoto axis.
"Similarly, he stated that peace was being restored in the South-East, while bandits in the North are being decimated and surrendering to the superior firepower of the security services."
The group also commended the Tinubu administration for embarking on several measures aimed at revitalizing the economy and restoring security to troubled areas of the country.