The House of Representatives has called on the federal government
to declare a state of emergency in the mining sector
Leadership reports the call is sequel to a motion moved by Hon.
Solomon Bulus Marengo, in which he said some companies in Nigeria were involved
in illegal mining of solid minerals deposits across the country. Solomon Bulus
Marengo complained that illegal miners were reducing Nigeria’s stake in the
solid minerals and other raw materials sectors. He said the illegal act was
depriving the country of about 500,000 jobs for the teeming youths.
The lawmaker said illegal miners do not contribute to the
development of the host communities as part of Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR).
He said their activities
leaves communities devastated, impoverished and exposed to hazardous
environmental conditions. Sequel to the motion raised by Marengo, the House
mandated its committee on solid minerals development to investigate the
activities of miners, their collaborators and sponsors. It also asked the
committee to ascertain the extent of the involvement of both local and foreign
firms in the illegal exploration and exploitation of the sector and report back
in four weeks. Meanwhile, the office of embattled lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin,
former chairman of the House of Representatives Appropriation Committee has
been sealed by security operatives. Jibrin’s office in the House was sealed
following his suspension after he failed to appear before the Ethics Committee
in relation to his allegations of budget padding against the principal
officers.
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