Illegal mining in Nigeria is causing the government to lose a whopping $9 billion every year, and it’s time to do something about it. The House of Representatives has decided to look into this issue, and it’s about time! The motion to investigate illegal mining was put forward by Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims, and it was approved at the plenary on Wednesday. He pointed out that Nigeria has a lot of mineral resources that are not being used to their full potential. These resources could actually help the economy, create jobs, and bring in more money. But right now, they’re just sitting there, untapped and underutilised. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) 2021 report shows that the mineral sector only contributes 0.63% to the GDP, which is about N1.10 trillion, and 2.62% to the government’s total revenue of N6.63 trillion. That’s not good enough! Halims is worried about the negative effects of illegal mining, like environmental damage, security issues, and economic problems. He’s also concerned about the huge loss of revenue due to illegal mining. It’s shocking that the government is only getting three per cent in royalties from a few licensed miners. This is a big problem that needs to be fixed. The impact of illegal mining goes beyond just money. It’s causing conflicts and violence in the affected communities. The governors of Taraba, Benue, and Nasarawa States have even taken action by banning illegal mining in their states to protect their communities. It’s clear that something needs to be done, and fast. The federal government needs to step up and take decisive action to develop the solid minerals sector. This is a critical sector that can really benefit the Nigerian economy and its people. It’s time to make a change and put an end to illegal mining once and for all!
