Illegal Mining Responsible For 80% of Insecurity In Northwest, Speaker Abbas React

Illegal Mining Responsible For 80% of Insecurity In Northwest, Speaker Abbas React

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Monday attributed approximately 80 percent of the current insecurity in the Northwestern part of the country to the activities of illegal miners.

The Speaker lamented that despite the potential benefits to the communities, they continue to live in abject poverty and deprivation, emphasizing the urgent need for action.

Speaking at the commencement of an investigative hearing on the activities of illegal mining in the solid minerals sector in the country, the Speaker highlighted that illegal mining has become a growing socio-economic challenge in Nigeria. This challenge has led to the loss of ecosystems and increased poverty levels, especially among peasant farmers who rely solely on environmental resources for their livelihood.

The Speaker noted that while Nigeria is richly endowed with solid mineral deposits that should bring great fortune to the country and its citizens, the wealth from these resources has largely been stolen by criminal elements.

Reports indicate that an estimated 80% of mining in the Northwest region is conducted illegally, with the extraction of largely untapped mineral deposits fueling community violence.

The Speaker expressed concern over the dire economic and social conditions in various mining communities in Nigeria. These communities suffer from years of neglect, deprivation, and severe environmental degradation, including air and water pollution resulting from unsafe mining practices by illegal miners.

He pointed out that the unprecedented illegal mining across Nigeria has had a devastating impact. Farmlands, crops, and economic trees are destroyed by mining activities, reducing their benefit and value to residents.

The rise in illegal mining in the country underscores fundamental social, institutional, and structural problems. The interaction aims to provide sufficient guidance on curbing the menace of illegal mining and assessing the role of regulators in enforcing mining practices.

Speaker Abbas emphasized that the House’s decision to investigate illegal mining demonstrates its commitment to taking decisive steps towards addressing nefarious mining practices and non-compliance with standards in the solid minerals sector. This includes the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment) Bill and the Nigeria Solid Mineral Development Company (Establishment) Bill, for which a public hearing will be held on July 17, 2024.

Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, stated that the country loses over $9 billion annually due to illegal mining activities. The only money entering government coffers from the sector is the 3 percent royalty paid by a few licensed miners.

Gbefwi highlighted that illegal mining poses significant risks to the nation’s economy, environment, and security. The unregulated exploitation of natural resources jeopardizes the sustainability of the mineral sector, leading to environmental degradation and revenue loss that could benefit communities and the nation.

He stressed the urgent need for decisive action to address this issue and ensure that the solid mineral sector operates within the legal framework, protecting natural resources for future generations.

“As representatives of the people, the parliament is deeply worried about the loss of revenue through unregulated and illicit mining operations. The Federal Government has disclosed that unlawful mining costs the country $9bn each year, with the only money coming from a 3 percent royalty paid by the few licensed miners,” Gbefwi said.

This development hampers the country’s ability to maximize the benefits from its mineral resources. There is also grave concern about the negative impacts of illegal mining, which has led to insecurity and conflicts over control of mining sites and resources.

“These conflicts have escalated into violence, exacerbating existing political and social tensions in affected communities. This has resulted in limited data availability and inadequate measures to control this illicit practice,” Gbefwi added.

The public hearing serves as a valuable platform for collecting insights, information, and recommendations from stakeholders, experts, and affected communities. It is time to collaborate and take immediate and decisive actions to revitalize and develop this critical sector for the overall benefit of all Nigerians.