ABUJA – MINISTER of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Mohammed Sada, has warned operators in quarry industry in the country to carry out their activities within the ambit of the law, failure of which he said government would not hesitate to wield its big stick on defaulters.

This is even as he observed that complying with the laws, rules and regulations guiding quarry operations would be in the mutual benefits of the operators, their host communities and the government.

Speaking when members of Ondo State Quarry Owners/Operators Association paid  him a working  visit in his office in Abuja, the minister advised the operators to take care of environmental and community  related  issues in carrying out their activities.

He noted that quarry was a very important aspect of mining which he said, was growing fast in the country, adding that everything was being done by the Federal Government for its sustainable development.

The Minister thanked the association for the visit and advised them to communicate any operational challenges with the Ministry, which he said, was ready to assist them.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Association of Ondo State Quarry

Owners/Operators, Mr. Sylvester I. Enabunlele, said the purpose of their visit was to thank the Minister for lifting the ban imposed on quarry operations in Ondo State in September 2011, due to operational lapses.