. Reps committee raises the alarm, says ‘govt losing $9bn annually to perpetrators’
. Whenever we arrest them, they boast of their powerful connections, next thing they’re released to go scot-free, CDS laments
. We’ve arrested 387 illegal miners, sponsors – Army
Samuel Adesola, Abuja
The military has lamented that some powerful Nigerians collude with foreigners perpetrating illegal mining activities in the country and also shield them from prosecution.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, disclosed this during an Investigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, on Monday, in Abuja.
This is just as the Chairman of House Committee, Jonathan Gbefwi, raised the alarm that Nigeria loses $9billion annually to the activities of illegal miners in the country.
The CDS, who was represented at the hearing by Air Vice Marshal Ilo, lamented that whenever these foreigners perpetrating illegal mining activities in the country are caught by security agents, they boast of their connections to powerful Nigerians, adding that within a short time after their arrest, they will be set free without being prosecuted for any offence against the laws of the country.
The CDS who spoke on why illegal mining activities continue to thrive in Nigeria, said, “The involvement of the elites in it, we can’t tell, but we know that most of the time when we catch these foreigners, they will tell us that they have connections. I don’t want to say some things, but sometimes you hand these people over and the next thing they’re released.
“Talking about illegal mining, I’m going to talk about how the military sees it. There are so many other stakeholders that I want to talk about. From our various operations and the statistics that we have, we notice that, first of all, the framework guiding mining in Nigeria is very, very good. It needs to be strengthened. Why do I say so, sir?
“In 2018 or so, during the last administration, there was a ban on illegal mining in South Africa. South Africa and Nigeria, which even established a gold mining zone. Despite the ban, mining licences were being issued to people to mine in that zone. So, the strengthening of the institutional framework is very key.”
Ilo also called for imposition of tough sanctions on those involved in the act, saying, “Anybody caught in this illegal mining must be dealt with decisively and examples should be made for others to know publicly. The third aspect we noted is poverty. In these areas where illegal mining takes place, the people are poor. Virtually, lack of education is also part of it. Most of them that we get, have no formal education.”
Chairman of the Committee, Gbefwi, while speaking at the event, stated that illegal miners have worked against the economy of the country, preventing her from making the most of its mineral resources.
According to him, “The parliament is deeply worried about the loss of revenue through unregulated and illicit mining operations with the Federal Government disclosing that unlawful mining costs the country $9bn each year, with the only money coming from a 3 per cent royalty paid by the few licensed miners.
“This public hearing is aimed at investigating illegal mining activities, under-reporting wins (extract e-Products) by mining and quarry license operators, utilisation of financial interventions in the Nigerian solid minerals sector amounting to trillions of naira within the solid mineral sector and also the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment Bill) and Nigeria solid Minerals Development Company (establishment bill), respectively.”
The lawmaker, who is a member of the Social Democratic Party representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, also noted that “unregulated exploitation of our natural resources jeopardises the sustainability of the mineral sector, leading to environmental degradation and revenue loss that could otherwise benefit our communities and nation as a whole.
“It is imperative that we take as a matter of urgency, decisive steps and necessary action to address this issue and ensure that our solid mineral sector operates within the framework of the law, protecting our natural resources for future generations.”
Representative of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Tajudeen Lamidi, who also spoke at the hearing, disclosed that the Nigerian Army has arrested 387 individuals in connection with illegal mining.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, described illegal mining as a growing socio-economic challenge in Nigeria.
He added that it has led to the loss of ecosystems and increased poverty levels, especially among peasant farmers.
He added, “A disturbing issue, which makes this investigative hearing very critical is the fact that various mining communities in Nigeria live in agonising conditions, economically and socially, arising from years of neglect, and various deprivations and severe environmental degradation, air and water pollution, arising from unsafe mining practices by illegal miners.
“The impact of the unprecedented illegal mining across Nigeria has been devastating as farmlands, crops and economic trees are not only destroyed by mining activities but reduce their benefit and values to the residents.”
