The federal government, through the ministry of mines and steel development, on Monday called on sand dredgers operating in Lagos to disregard an order purportedly issued by the Lagos State government mandating them to discontinue with their lawful business activities.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mohammed Abass, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
In the statement, Abbas said the attention of the ministry has been drawn to a recent ruling of the court of appeal sitting in Lagos and several reports ascribed to various officials of the Lagos State government regarding a purported stop work order issued to duly licensed dredgers operating in the state.
“While our legal officers are studying the judgment of the Court of Appeal relating to the particulars of the case in question, in the interim, we wish to ask all duly licensed dredgers to disregard the “Stop Work” order issued by the Lagos State government and to continue about their lawful operations,” the statement read in part.
“Particularly, we wish to frown at the way officials of the Lagos State government have gone about deliberately distorting the pronouncement of the appeal court in this matter,” it further read.
The document also said it is trite to state that by virtue of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), federal laws in respect of administration of mining activities and utility of inland waterways supersede those of states, including in this instance as it affects issues on the exclusive legislative list.
It also noted that a cursory review of the ruling of the learned justices of the court of appeal indicates a clear recognition of the powers and responsibilities of the various arms and organs of government with respect to administration of mining and inland waterways.
“We are therefore at a loss as to why officials of Lagos State government will willfully attempt to inverse the ruling of the court to suit their much anticipated outcome, as the learned justices were clear about the extent and limitation of powers of the various arms of government.”
Abbas said the ministry takes this development with all seriousness and solemn commitment, while calling on all legitimate dredgers to disregard the order and continue with their lawful operations without let or hindrance.
He said the ministry has already commenced the process of consultations with all relevant and affected arms and agencies of government.
According to him, “we are confident that an amicable resolution of this issue would be reached in no time, while also committing ourselves to the implementation of lawful court judgments.”
