Addressing Licencing Duplicity in Mining Agencies

Title: Addressing Duplicity of Licences in Mining Agencies

The issue of duplicity of licenses within mining agencies has recently been brought to light by Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development. During his official visits to these agencies, the minister emphasized the importance of addressing this issue and commended the efforts of the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO), while also stressing the significance of addressing public complaints. In a statement released by the ministry’s special assistant on media, Segun Tomori, the director-general of the MCO, Obadiah Nkom, expressed the agency’s dedication to enhancing operations through digitalization and collaboration with international partners.

In 2022, Obadiah Nkom, the director-general, highlighted the MCO’s digital transformation, including the implementation of an online platform known as the electronic mining cadastral system. Despite the increase in the number of applications, Nkom acknowledged processing delays due to backlog issues from the previous system. However, he assured the minister that concerted efforts are underway to streamline processes in collaboration with the World Bank-assisted mineral sector support for economic diversification (MinDiver).

In response, Minister Alake urged the agency to transform the negative perception of its operations and expressed concerns about the prevalence of licensing duplicity and perceived irregularities associated with the MCO. He emphasized the necessity for change and warned of regulatory actions if the agency fails to reform.

At the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), director-general Abdulrasak Garba emphasized the agency’s role in generating geoscientific research information for the mining sector’s development. He also cited funding constraints as a challenge and appealed for the minister’s intervention. Recognizing the NGSA’s broader impact across various sectors, Minister Alake commended the generation of relevant data for informed decision-making and encouraged the agency to strive for self-sustainability.

The minister’s visit to these agencies highlighted the critical role they play in driving the growth of the mining sector and the broader economy. It serves as a reminder of the need for enhanced collaboration, streamlined processes, and sustainable funding to support the vital work carried out by these agencies.