By Egbodo Queen
Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South senatorial district at the National Assembly, has highlighted the alarming security threats posed by the activities of illegal miners across Nigeria.
He expressed concern over the collusion between Nigerians and foreign elements aimed at exploiting the nation’s mining resources to the detriment of its economy.
In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr. Samuel Udoma, on Tuesday, Senator Sampson pledged to intensify investigations into the mining sector for the benefit of the nation.
As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, he emphasized the need to review and streamline mining operations to revitalize the solid minerals sector.
The Senate, during a plenary session late last year, mandated the Solid Minerals Committee to investigate the immediate and underlying causes of the decline in revenue from solid minerals development in the country.
The committee was tasked with examining the actions of policymakers, industry players, and the implementation of mining policies, as well as assessing the impact of illegal mining activities.
Furthermore, the committee was instructed to scrutinize privatization and commercialization programs related to mining and mineral resources from 1999 to the present.
Senator Sampson condemned the collaboration between unscrupulous Nigerians and deceitful foreign entities, which he said deprived the nation of its mineral wealth without commensurate benefits to national income.
He expressed serious concern about the security implications of illegal mining, citing incidents such as the recent explosion in Ibadan caused by negligence and illicit mining activities.
Senator Sampson emphasized that these unregulated mining operations have become a source of insecurity, leading to loss of lives and property.
The committee chairman reiterated his commitment to rooting out illegal mining and advocated for a comprehensive review of the Mining Act to ensure proper regulation in line with international best practices.
He criticized the non-cooperative attitude of some industry players who failed to respond to the committee’s invitations and warned against attempts to obstruct the Senate’s investigations.
Senator Sampson also proposed regular consultations with relevant agencies, experts, industry players, artisanal miners, and stakeholders to facilitate collaborative efforts aimed at improving mining operations in the region.