Nigeria security and civil Defence corps, NSCDC, Zamfara State command has warned transport workers against transportation of all forms of precious stones across the state without clearance.
The State Commandant of the NSCDC Muhammad Bello Mu’azu gave the directives today (Monday) during a meeting with the Leaderships of the National Association of Trailer Owners and National Union of Road Transport at the command’s headquarters in Gusau
Commandant Bello Muazu urged all drivers of trailers who intend to transport any kind of precious stone considered to be solid mineral across the state to other states of the Federation to obtain the relevant documents for clearance as the NSCDC was committed to stop any illegal movement of the solid minerals in the state.
He maintained that “there are specified prerequisite documents which are meant to be made available to Corps by any trailer driver carrying the precious stones across the State.” He explained
The Commandant therefore said the required documents includes;
License to Possess and Purchase Minerals, Evidence of Payment of Royalty, Mineral Title if the solid mineral is coming from a legal Source, Agent Movement Permit and Mineral buying certificate must be presented to the personnels of the Corps saddled with the responsibility to monitor mining activities in the state.
He noted that the Solid Mineral Department of the Corps has been empowered by the NSCDC Act 2007 as amended to checkmate illegal mining and dealings across the Federation and warned that in the event of failure to present the stipulated documents, the driver and whoever that might be involved will be prosecuted and the truck and its contents will be confiscated by the Federal Government.
In their separate remarks, chairmen of the two Associations,(NATO and NURTW Trailer branch) Lawali Danda and Bashir Haruna attested that the Corps has been fair to the members of the associations and therefore promised to take the directives down to their members. Saying the association will form a task force committee to work with NSCDC to ensure compliance and improve working relationships.
