Disregard Lagos Govt’s ‘Stop Work’ Order—FG Tells Dredgers

By Dipo Olowookere

Federal Government has advised duly licensed dredgers to disregard a ‘stop work’ directive of the Lagos State government.

In a statement signed on Monday by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the FG said the dredgers should “continue with their lawful operations without let or hindrance.”

This followed a recent ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos and the Ministry said its legal officers were studying the judgment 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 signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Mohammed Abass, said.

Mr Abass further disclosed that the Ministry frowns “at the way officials of the Lagos State government has gone about deliberately distorting the pronouncement of the appeal court in this matter.

“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. In the instance as it affects issues on the exclusive legislative list.”

“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 wilfully attempt to inverse the ruling of the court to suit their much anticipated outcome.

“The learned justices were clear about the extent and limitation of powers of the various arms of government,” the statement stressed.

“The Ministry takes this development with all seriousness and solemn commitment. We hereby call on all legitimate dredgers to disregard the order and continue with their lawful operations without let or hindrance.

“FMMSD has already commenced the process of consultations with all relevant and affected arms and agencies of government. 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,” the statement concluded.