Illegal Mining and Insecurity: The Role of Powerful Nigerians
The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has identified influential figures within Nigeria as the driving force behind the unlawful mining activities and insecurity afflicting various regions of the country. In a recent appearance before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals in Abuja to provide a defence of the 2024 budget estimates, Alake expressed his apprehensions regarding the adverse consequences of these challenges.
Alake underscored that, while there may be foreign involvement in acts of banditry, the principal supporters are as yet unidentifiable Nigerians who wield significant influence. He emphasized the imperative of employing both kinetic and non-kinetic methodologies to pinpoint and redress these individuals aligned with illegal mining activities.
In an effort to enhance the revenue generated from mining, Alake stressed the necessity of instituting a formal framework for multinational companies to engage with, drawing parallels to the operational structure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.
The Minister further outlined the substantial value of minerals in the country, estimating it to exceed $700 billion. He underscored that Nigeria has not fully capitalized on its solid minerals due to institutional barriers, impeding its capacity to meet global demand.
During the defence of the budget, Alake implored the committee to reconsider the allocated funds for the ministry in the 2024 budget proposal. He underlined the imperative of a significant increment from the proposed N24bn, asserting that an allocation of N250bn is indispensable for exploration. He affirmed that, with this augmented budget, the ministry has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the nation’s GDP, even surpassing the revenue generated from oil.
Emphasizing the global demand for Nigeria’s over 44 different minerals, Alake advocated strongly for increased investment in the solid minerals sector.
The Chairman of the committee, Gaza Gbefwi, echoed Alake’s sentiments and characterized the solid minerals sector as a pivotal element in the country’s endeavours to diversify the economy. Gbefwi acknowledged the inadequacy of the budget estimates for the ministry and pledged the committee’s unwavering commitment to diligently secure additional funding to support Alake’s comprehensive seven-point agenda.
In conclusion, Alake’s testimony illuminated the critical issues of illegal mining and insecurity in Nigeria, attributing a substantial portion of the problem to influential individuals within the country. The Minister’s plea for augmented funding and support from the government and relevant stakeholders underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges and maximizing the potential of the solid minerals sector for the nation’s economic advancement.
