Hon Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stated on Monday, July 15, that 80 per cent of the insecurity in the North Western region of the country was caused by the activities of illegal miners.
Speaking at the start of an investigative hearing on illegal mining in the solid minerals sector, the Speaker lamented that despite the potential benefits to local communities, residents continue to live in abject poverty and deprivation. He emphasised the urgent need for action.
Tajudeen highlighted that illegal mining has become a growing socio-economic challenge in Nigeria, leading to the loss of ecosystems and increased poverty levels, especially among peasant farmers who rely on environmental resources for their livelihoods. He noted that Nigeria is rich in solid mineral deposits, which should bring prosperity to the country and its citizens. However, the wealth from these resources has been largely stolen by criminal elements.
“Reports indicate that an estimated 80% of mining in the North West region is carried out illegally,” the Speaker said, pointing to the mining of largely untapped mineral deposits as a root cause of community violence.
Tajudeen expressed concern over the dire conditions in various mining communities, which suffer from economic and social neglect, severe environmental degradation, and pollution due to unsafe mining practices by illegal miners. He noted that illegal mining activities have devastated farmlands, crops, and economic trees, reducing their benefit and value to residents.
The Speaker emphasized that the rise in illegal mining highlights fundamental social, institutional, and structural problems in Nigeria. The hearing aims to provide guidance on curbing the menace of illegal mining and assess the role of regulators in ensuring compliance with mining practices.
He stated that the House’s decision to investigate illegal mining demonstrates its commitment to addressing nefarious mining practices and non-compliance with set standards in the solid minerals sector. This includes reviewing the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment) Bill and the Nigeria Solid Mineral Development Company (Establishment) Bill, with a public hearing scheduled for July 17, 2024.
