The Nigerian Government has raised serious concerns about the detrimental impact of illegal artisanal miners on the country’s mining industry, leading to substantial revenue losses.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe, sounded the warning during the inauguration of the new National Executive Council of the Miners Association of Nigeria in Abuja.
She expressed disappointment that some members of the association were engaging in illegal mining activities, hindering the sector’s sustainable development and contributing to unemployment.
In her words; “I seize this opportunity to draw your attention to the disheartening practices of some members of your association who interfere with the mandates of the ministry.
“Some of your members prefer to indulge in illegal mining activities, instead of being partners in progress to develop the sector.
“This attitude has hindered the sustainable development of the sector and constituted huge revenue losses.
“I urge the leadership of your association to advise its members to shun illegal mining activities.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustee, Alhaji Sani Shehu, echoed the call for unity, urging government bodies at all levels to align their efforts with the Miners Association of Nigeria
Chief Superintendent of the Import and Export Unit, Tariff and Trade Department, Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Chibuzo Oguche, also highlighted a crucial step in the fight against illegal mining.
She said, “We are looking forward to a good synergy between MAN and customs because by the time we get to the database of registered miners, we will be able to track those illegal miners.”
In response to these challenges, stakeholders call for cooperation between the government, MAN, and customs to curb the menace and promote responsible mining practices.
The Senate has also taken action by discussing a bill that aims to create a Solid Minerals Development Commission and prohibit foreigners from engaging in artisanal mining to protect Nigeria’s mineral wealth.
The Bill which was sponsored by Nasarawa South Senator, Mohammed Onawo, is to tackle the alleged illegal mining by foreigners in the country.
According to him, the bill has been listed for first reading and titled “Solid Minerals Development Commission”:
“The bill will be taken for the first time; this bill is to create a solid minerals development commission that will bring about the unification and improvement of solid minerals in Nigeria.”
“We are a very rich nation naturally; God has endowed us with almost everything but the way we are harnessing it is what is making our people poor by the day,” he added.
