Nigerian Government Urges Citizens To Safeguard Solid Mineral Resources

Nigerians have been urged to protect the nation’s resources and avoid falling prey to illegal miners who offer short-term gains at the expense of future prosperity.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe stated in an interview with Voice of Nigeria at the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“No matter the hardship, we must not sell our birthrights. When illegal miners come in, offering quick money, we risk letting them steal away our children’s future.” Dr. Ogbe noted.

She urged Nigerians to stand firm in protecting the country’s natural resources, warning against the dangers of illegal mining. “The message is clear, no matter how dire the economic situation, we must not allow others to steal our future,” she said, highlighting the destructive impact of illegal miners and foreign exploiters.

“We must protect our natural wealth, as it is the key to our future,” she urged, calling on the public to support the ministry’s efforts in preserving Nigeria’s solid minerals for generations to come.

Combating Illegal Mining Using Technology

The issue of illegal mining remains a significant challenge, but Dr. Ogbe shared the ministry’s innovative approach to tackling this issue through technology. “We are deploying satellite technology to monitor mining activities, especially in remote areas where illegal operations often thrive,” she explained.

Collaborating with security agencies, the ministry plans to use real-time data to track and control illegal mining activities, ensuring that Nigeria’s resources are not being exploited unlawfully.

Mining conflicts 

Dr, Ogbe explained the ministry’s efforts to resolve disputes between State governments and investors, particularly in relation to solid minerals, which are constitutionally under federal control.

“We’ve been appealing to sub-nationals, encouraging them to understand the constitutional framework,” Ogbe said.

“We’ve engaged with State governors and have had to take strong stances in some cases to ensure that State-level interference does not hinder investment in the sector.”

She specifically mentioned the case of Osun State’s government stop-work order, which was successfully vacated after intervention at the federal level.

“The ministry is working on long-term solutions to prevent further issues and ensure smoother collaboration between all stakeholders“. Dr. Ogbe said.

Ministry transformation 

Reflecting on her tenure of over a year in the ministry, Dr. Ogbe highlighted the substantial transformation within the sector. “The awareness around Nigeria’s solid mineral resources has grown significantly, and the ministry has taken proactive steps to combat illegal mining, with many perpetrators now facing prosecution”. She said.

Dr. Ogbe also noted the formalisation of artisanal mining, with over 200 artisanal miners recently incorporated into cooperatives, a move aimed at improving the regulation and legitimacy of their operations.

Establishing a Nigerian University of Mines

Dr. Ogbe also spoke about the long-term vision of advancing Nigeria’s mining sector, including the proposal to upgrade the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences in Jos into a University of Mines.

She explained that while the nation already has several universities, a specialised institution focusing on mining would boost Nigeria’s capabilities in the sector.

The Permanent Secretary noted that discussions on this initiative are ongoing, with a focus on ensuring the new institution would not burden an already underfunded higher education system.

Mining act and policy reforms

Dr. Ogbe discussed the ongoing review of the Mining Act of 2007, which is due for an update to reflect current challenges and best practices in the sector.

The reform process aims to align the sector’s policies with modern economic demands and ensure the solid minerals sector plays a greater role in Nigeria’s GDP. “We have the resources. Our goal is to harness them responsibly and ensure they contribute significantly to Nigeria’s wealth,” Dr. Ogbe affirmed.

Environmental challenges

Dr. Ogbe also addressed environmental concerns related to mining activities. The ministry’s Mines Environmental Compliance department is reviewing its Environmental and Reclamation Performance Plans (EPRP) to ensure miners are adhering to regulations and rehabilitating mined areas. She said.

Additionally, a fund is being set up to cover reclamation efforts in the event that miners fail to restore the land after extraction. This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve the environmental sustainability of mining operations in Nigeria.

Revenue generation

On revenue growth, Dr. Ogbe shared that the ministry is working on improving its portal system to allow miners to make payments online. This system is designed to reduce bottlenecks and encourage compliance. Dr. Ogbe said. She also emphasised the need for better funding for the ministry to fully realize its goals, including increased revenue generation from the mining sector.

Manpower development and youth engagement

Recognising the need for skilled manpower in the sector, Dr. Ogbe noted that the ministry is investing in training and retraining staff, and has recently welcomed new recruits through the Civil Service Commission. In addition to this, she said the ministry is exploring ways to engage youths in mining communities to help monitor activities on the ground.

Mining sector

Dr.Ogbe underscored the vast potential of the mining sector for Nigeria’s economic growth. From small-scale mining operations to mineral trading, there are numerous opportunities for Nigerians to get involved in the industry legally. She noted. The ministry is also partnering with the private sector to train individuals in specialised areas like jewellery making, providing a path to self-employment for many young Nigerians.

Vision for Mining Sector

Dr. Ogbe expressed a strong commitment to making Nigeria a global mining destination. “Our goal is to contribute significantly to the country’s GDP and establish Nigeria as a hub for world-class mining operations,” she said. The ministry is also working on setting up a Solid Mineral Development Company to form joint ventures with private entities, further driving investment in the sector.

 

Olusola Akintonde