Alake stated this while playing host to the Attah of Igala and President of Kogi State Traditional Rulers Council, Matthew Opaluwa.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Alake stressed the need for host communities to take ownership of mining activities and collaborate with the government to ensure efficient mining operations and restated the commitment of the Federal Government to protect the rights of communities.
“Whatever we can do to ensure a peaceful, operating environment, we will do. We also need the cooperation of locals in partnering with the government to ensure better security. If we have peace around mining operations, we can attract more investments in the mining sector.
“The government, on its part, is rejigging the security architecture to address contemporary security challenges besetting the sector and also factoring royalties for communities into every mining operation,” he added.
On his part, the Ata of Igala in his remarks commended the minister for his efforts, thus far, in repositioning the mining sector, noting however, that unlicensed miners and those operating without requisite agreement with host communities remain an albatross, posing security challenges to locals.
He sought the intervention of the minister in addressing this while also advocating for prominent roles for host communities paramount rulers to protect the interests of the people.
Alake, while responding, assured the monarch that the ministry’s Mines Inspectorate would be strengthened to ascertain the authenticity of mining agreements, promising the inclusion of traditional rulers in signing agreements on behalf of host communities.
The minister further revealed that plans are underway to reposition the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee for optimum efficiency to ensure the payment of due royalties and the protection of community rights.
