FG seals off company over diversion of explosives, 16, 420 detonators

The Federal Government yesterday sealed off an importer of explosives in Koko, Delta State, Messrs Nigerian Development and Construction Company, NDCC, over illegal diversion of explosives and 16, 420 pieces of electrical detonators from its magazines.


This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Olayinka Oyebode, where he said the Minister, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, gave the marching order due to the gross violation of the provisions of the Explosives Act of 1964, the Explosives Regulations of 1967 and other extant policy directives. The statement reads in part: “The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has ordered the immediate sealing off of Messrs Nigerian Development and Construction Company (NDCC), an importer and seller of explosives in Koko, Delta State, over illegal diversion of explosives. “This is in addition to the blacklisting of the company and withdrawal of its explosive licences.

“The development is sequel to investigations by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), which revealed that the company was involved in illegal diversion of about 9,000 kg of Nitro-glycerine explosives and 16,420 pieces of electrical detonators from its magazines between 2015 and 2016.” The statement added that the Minister has warned all manufacturers, importers, sellers and end users of explosives in the country to desist from unprofessional sale, procurement, storage and use of explosives in line with the provisions of the Explosives Act of 1964, the Explosives Regulations of 1967 and other extant policy directives.