By Obiabin Onukwugha
The House of Representatives Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-money Laundering, has summoned the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake and the Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Obadiah Nkom, to appear before it in the ongoing investigation into illegal mining activities in the country.
The Committee Chairman Sanni Abdulraheem, issued the summon at the committee’s resumed sitting last Thursday, saying the two agencies, which are central to the investigation had not shown the expected willingness to engage with the committee.
Abdulraheem said the committee is mandated to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the scale, actors and patterns of illegal mineral exploitation nationwide, and identify the causes, consequences, and extent of associated revenue losses in illegal mining in the country.
“In spite of the friendly approach to some MDAs, particularly the two government organisations that are central to this exercise, the ministry of solid minerals and the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, didn’t give much desired willingness to receive the committee.
“However, the committee has directed the secretariat to write the minister and DG of Nigeria Mining Cadastre to appear before the committee on scheduled dates for each of the two organisations, if possible, with EFCC and other anti-graft agencies,” he said.
Abdulraheem disclosed that the committee would also examine the roles and challenges of security agencies deployed to mineral-bearing areas, including the NSCDC, mining marshals and other formations.
“The panel will investigate the security implications of illegal mining activities, including their links to organised crime, communal conflicts, environmental degradation, and threats to national stability”, he said.
The committee chairman said the committee would appraise the legal and regulatory framework governing mineral exploitation to identify gaps, overlaps, and enforcement weaknesses and as well, probe the financial flows associated with illegal mineral extraction, including how proceeds are laundered, concealed or transferred.
Abdulraheem said the exercise would identify the roles of individuals, networks and institutions enabling illicit transactions and develop strategies to block revenue leakages and enhance transparency in the minerals value chain.
He said the committee would submit a detailed report to the House within the stipulated time frame, containing findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations for legislative, policy, administrative and security interventions.
