Reps move to end illegal mining, protect Nigeria’s mineral wealth

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering says illegal mining is depriving Nigeria of the economic benefits of its vast mineral resources through criminal activities, weak enforcement and illicit financial flows.

Chairman of the committee, Sanni Abdulraheem, made the remarks at a High-Level Stakeholders Workshop on Extractive Industry Governance in Abuja. He also noted that illegal mining activities are contributing to insecurity across the country.
Abdulraheem said the committee’s findings revealed that the challenges facing the mining sector cannot be addressed by a single institution. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts involving the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, security agencies, financial intelligence institutions, state governments, traditional institutions, licensed mining operators and civil society organisations.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, said the illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral resources has deprived the country of significant revenue and undermined national sovereignty.
Represented by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Abbas urged stakeholders to provide credible information and practical recommendations that would support legislative reforms.

Also speaking, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, called for the establishment of a special court to ensure speedy prosecution of illegal mining offenders.