Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, says gold smuggling in Nigeria is often done using private jets, hence private jet ownership and operations need to be streamlined in the country.
Ogah said this at an investigative hearing on $9billion annual loss to illegal mining and smuggling of gold, organised by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy, on Tuesday.
The minister said gold smuggling and Illegal mining are robbing the country of billions of dollars on a yearly basis.
He also said the smugglers’ connivance with security agencies and host communities’ collaboration, and low level of application of technology and negative mindsets of Nigerians to Nigeria, were some of the factors that inhibited the trade.
“For these crimes to be fought decisively, potent punitive measure like capital punishment, need to be legally provided for,” he said.
Ogah added that the menace can be tackled proactively through the establishment of Mines Police, Special Court or Tribunals to try offenders, adequate funding for the Ministry and positive mindsets of Nigerians to Nigeria.
