The Devastating Impact of Illegal Mining in Nigeria: Stakeholders Demand Government Action
A recent capacity-building training workshop in Nigeria, organised for journalists by Global Rights, has brought to light some serious concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the detrimental effects of illegal mining activities in the country. The stakeholders are urging the Nigerian government to implement stricter regulatory measures to address this issue.
One of the expert trainers, Tsema Ede, a Natural Resource Governance Expert and human rights defender, expressed how illegal mining has resulted in lead poisoning, leading to the tragic deaths of numerous children in various communities across the country. This has raised significant concerns for the future of these children, who are at risk of being exposed to harmful substances as a result of illegal mining activities.
In addition to the environmental and health hazards, Ede highlighted the link between illegal mining and funding for insecurity and terrorism. He explained that the illegally extracted resources, particularly gold, are being smuggled out of the country and sold to finance activities that pose a threat to national security. According to Ede, Nigeria has suffered significant financial losses, estimated in billions of dollars, due to illegal mining and the smuggling of precious minerals, which are often transported out of the country with little to no regulation.
Edosa Oviawe, Programme Manager for Global Rights, also emphasised the impact of illegal mining and highlighted the need for the Nigerian economy to diversify away from dependence on oil and gas. Oviawe stressed that only about 1% of the solid minerals in Nigeria contribute to the country’s GDP, and that there is a potential for much greater contributions, if proper governance and regulation of the sector are put in place.
Furthermore, Oviawe called for ethical mining practices to be upheld and for the government to engage with host communities to ensure that mining activities are carried out in accordance with existing laws, while also respecting the rights of the local communities.
Stakeholders in the mining industry are now urging the government to take decisive action against illegal mining. They are calling for the enforcement of existing laws and the introduction of new regulations to prevent the illegal extraction and export of mineral resources.
It is clear from these concerns and calls to action that illegal mining has led to significant economic losses and negative impacts on the health and well-being of Nigerian communities. In response to these issues, it is imperative for the government to address the environmental, economic, and security implications of illegal mining, and to protect the rights and safety of the people affected by these activities.
