House of Representatives has announced plans to launch a campaign aimed at preventing Nigeria from losing over nine billion U.S. dollars annually to illegal mining activities.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on Illegal Mining, Sanni Abdulraheem, stated this during the inauguration of the committee at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
He emphasized the importance of the committee to the nation’s economy, describing illegal mining as a menace that undermines national revenue, fuels criminality, and destroys the environment.
The committee Chairman explained that part of the committee’s responsibilities blocking revenue leakages, enforcing transparency, and ensuring that the nation’s mineral wealth contributes fully to economic development.
“It is estimated that Nigeria loses approximately $9 billion annually due to illegal mining activities. This theft of our resources that should be enriching our nation has gone on for far too long, and it is time to put an end to it”, the lawmaker said.
Abdulraheem assured that through structured oversight, the house will strengthen Revenue Tracking Mechanisms and ensure full benefits of Nigeria’s mining sector flow directly into the government coffers, rather than being siphoned by few individuals.
On the Ajaokuta Steel Company, the committee Chairman resource lamented that over the years, the vital industrial asset has been underutilized while other nations capitalize on similar resources, stressing that with the President Bola Tinubu’s administration unprecedented political will the industry will soon be rejuvenated.
Representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Commander of Mining Marshals ACC Attah John Onoja, said since the launch of Mining Marshals operation in 2024, the Corps has arrested over 500 illegal miners with about 270 currently facing trial.
He however, assured that the Nigeria’s Security and Civil Defense Corps will give tha committee maximum support and cooperation to ensure that the all important tax is achieved.
COV/TSIBIRI
