The Impact of Powerful Nigerians in Illegal Mining and Banditry, According to Minister of Solid Minerals
The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has issued a statement asserting that influential individuals in Nigeria are not only involved in illegal mining but are also contributing to terrorism and banditry in the country. He emphasized that the majority of illegal miners are Nigerian nationals, and expressed alarm at the lack of proper immigration documentation for most foreign illegal miners in the country.
The aforementioned revelations were disclosed during the Honourable Minister’s appearance before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, where he provided a defence of the 2024 budget. He boldly asserted that illegal miners, who possess significant power in the country, are financing various instances of banditry and terrorism. Additionally, he conveyed that these individuals have been identified through various means, and that small-scale illegal miners have been encouraged to form cooperatives.
As a result, the ministry is seeking to establish a formal structure that multinational companies can engage with, akin to the structure of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. Furthermore, the Honourable Minister explained that the approach of the ministry under his leadership will differ from NNPCL, with the Nigeria Mining Cooperation being primarily driven by the private sector. He assured that Nigeria would maintain its equity in the structure, thus insulating it from future government interference.
The Honourable Minister underscored that, should the proposed budget be allocated to the ministry, the revenue generated would surpass that of other ministries, including that derived from oil. He also highlighted that, while 44 minerals are in high demand, six are globally sought after.
In a separate development, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Julius Pondi, expressed deep concern over the escalating environmental challenges, such as floods, pollution, erosion, and deforestation. He stressed the urgent need for measures to prevent further environmental degradation, and reiterated the committee’s commitment to reviewing laws and policies to address these issues and effect positive changes.
In conclusion, the matter of illegal mining and its connection to terrorism and banditry, as brought to light by Minister Dele Alake, is indeed disconcerting. The government’s allocation to the solid minerals sector in the 2024 budget was deemed inadequate, and there is continued advocacy for legislative and policy interventions to address environmental degradation. It is evident that urgent actions and collaborative efforts are imperative to rectify the situation and secure a more promising future for Nigeria.
