The Minority Caucus in Parliament has criticised the government for what they perceive as a lack of proactiveness and preparedness in addressing the illegal mining issues that are negatively impacting the country.
In a press briefing on what they called the 'True State of the Nation Address' on March 3, 2025, the Minority highlighted the takeover of forest reserves by armed illegal miners, expressing concerns over the government's inability to effectively address the situation.
The NPP MPs questioned why security agencies, who are well-trained and equipped to confront armed illegal miners, have not been deployed to address the situation.
This came after claims by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, , that security forces and the Forestry Commission no longer have access to 44 forest reserves due to their complete takeover by armed illegal miners. "The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, speaking to Parliament on February 19, 2025, raised a very disturbing issue of insecurity leading to an alarming rate of illegal mining activities within the nation's forest reserves.
