Heavy and powerful” Nigerians involved in illegal mining are behind insecurity, especially in parts of the country with huge solid minerals deposits, Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake said yesterday.
Alake said their activities were not only making the sector unfriendly for genuine foreign investors, but denying the nation huge incomes.
He, however, disclosed that the Federal Government was “identifying” the errant miners through kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to make areas with huge solid minerals secure for those interested in investing in the sector.
Alake spoke when he appeared before the House Committee on Solid Minerals to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget estimate.
At another event in Abuja, the minister said the government, through his ministry, was ready to collaborate with the World Bank to maximally tap the nation’s solid minerals.
During the budget defence, Alake said: “One discovery that we have made is that a lot of these insecurities, especially banditry associated with this sector are sponsored by illegal miners.
“These are not your artisanal miners. They are not the people who pick gold on the ground. These are heavy and powerful individuals in our country. They are Nigerians and not foreigners.
“You can see foreigners as symptoms, but they are not the basics. Nigerians are the powers behind those foreigners that you see on the streets. We are identifying them and employing various strategies, both kinetic and non-kinetic.
“The non-kinetic with that artisanal miners, I gave them an ultimatum that they should form themselves into cooperatives because every Nigerian has a right to life and necessities and if the government cannot provide these necessities, we cannot push them into the bush.”
He added that the ministry encouraged small-scale miners to form cooperative societies, adding that as at the last count, about 50 had come into existence.
The minister also revealed that foreign investors have begun to make more enquiries about the possibility of investing in the sector.
According to him, the ministry has identified about 44 key solid mineral deposits in the country out of which seven are in high demand because of their importance.
Alake said that with the right investment by the government, Nigeria has the potential to become a global hub for solid minerals in the world.
Stressing that the government plans to invest heavily in exploration, he described the N29 billion allocated to the ministry for 2024 as a “non-starter.”
He sought the assistance of the lawmakers for adequate funding for the sector.
Chairman of the House Committee Gaza Gbefwi said there was no time that the nation needed the input of the Solid mineral sector like now.
He said: “All hope is not lost especially considering the fact that Mr. President(Bola Tinubu), during his budget presentation re-echoed the priority this administration has placed on the solid minerals sector and of course the person he has mandated to steer the ship of this sector.
“It is quite exciting to note that he hit the ground running by embarking on strategic bilateral and trade expeditions that will bring the needed investment into our country.”
Fed Govt, World Bank to collaborate on mining
Alake, who also received World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, expressed satisfaction with the renewed focus on the development of the nation’s mineral resources.
He stated that the government was exploring collaboration with the World Bank to unlock financing and technical support for the development of the solid mineral sector.
Alake, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Segun Tomori, added that with the preponderance of economically viable minerals, Nigeria has the potential to make the solid minerals sector a major contributor to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The statement reads in part: “Mr. Chaudhuri reiterated the readiness of the bank to partner with the Ministry to unlock financing for specific intervention areas requiring funding, emphasising, however, that that the terms and conditions of the bank to ensure effective implementation of projects and transparency in utilising funds is mandatory.
“He also added that the bank is not restricted to providing financing alone, asserting it can offer technical assistance to improve mining operations in the country.
“In his response, the Minister hailed the World Bank team for the visit, commending the institution for spearheading developmental efforts in diverse sectors of the economy over the years.
“The World Bank has been able to redirect focus on developmental issues and projects in countries, especially Nigeria. Just recently, we had the support of the World Bank on palliatives being rolled out after fuel subsidy removal.
“We had appreciable support from the World Bank. I thank you for your involvement in the min diver project, which, unfortunately, is coming to a close.
“We look forward to strengthening collaboration, which will culminate in the needed funding for critical areas in the mining sector, alongside the requisite technical support, as earlier hinted.
“Alake further assured that the Federal Government is committed to providing an enabling environment to safeguard mining operations whilst ensuring maximum beneficiation to host communities and accruable revenue to government through royalties and taxes.”
