Private Jets Used For Gold Smuggling – Minister

The Minister of State for Mines and Metal Growth, Dr Uche Ogah, has stated personal jets are getting used for gold smuggling in Nigeria.

Ogah acknowledged this at an investigative listening to on $9 billion annual loss to unlawful mining and smuggling of gold, organised by the Senate Committee on Stable Minerals, Mines, Metal Growth and Metallurgy.

He additionally advocated capital punishment for offenders.

“Gold smuggling in Nigeria is commonly carried out utilizing personal jets, the very motive why personal jets possession and operations have to be streamlined within the nation,” he stated.

He stated gold smuggling and unlawful mining are robbing the nation of billions of {dollars} on a yearly foundation.

Based on him, the menace thrives because of the connivance of safety companies with the offenders, host communities’ collaboration, low stage of software of know-how and unfavorable mindsets of Nigerians to Nigeria.

“For these crimes to be fought decisively, potent punitive measures like capital punishment have to be legally supplied for,” he stated.

He added that the menace might be tackled proactively by the institution of mines police, particular court docket or tribunals to strive offenders, sufficient funding for the ministry and optimistic mindsets of Nigerians to Nigeria.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Tanko Al-Makura (APC, Nasarawa), stated heads of related authorities companies would be summoned for a radical investigation into unlawful mining and gold smuggling.

He listed the companies to incorporate: Central Financial institution of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Police Drive, Division of State Providers (DSS), Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).