…As stakeholders lament foreigners’ domination in mining
The Senate Committee on Solid Mineral Development has revealed that its oversight visit to Plateau State has broadened its understanding of mineral resource exploration. During the visit, the committee discovered numerous untapped natural resources in the state, prompting them to consider legislation that would ensure Nigerians benefit from these resources. This move, according to them aims to promote local participation and drive economic growth, aligning with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development’s vision to transform the sector into a significant contributor to Nigeria’s GDP.
Senator Mustapha Habib, Deputy Chairman of the committee, disclosed this information to journalists on Wednesday, following the committee’s engagements with key stakeholders in Plateau State’s mining sector.
He announced that President Tinubu’s administration is committed to revitalizing Nigeria’s mining sector. He said the commitment is part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to transform the sector into a cornerstone of the country’s economy.
The committee also visited the proposed site for the establishment of a Federal University of Mining, a bill sponsored by Senator Diket Plang, representing Plateau Central where the Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Mining Geosciences (NIMG), Professor Suleiman Bolaji Hassan, welcomed the initiative, citing the need for effective manpower in the mining industry.
Earlier, executives of the Nigeria Mining Association, Plateau State Chapter, informed the Senate Committee on Solid Mineral Development during a meeting that the state boasts an abundance of diverse natural resources across its 17 council areas, which remain largely unexplored.
During an on-site assessment at a prominent mineral resources industry in Jos, the committee met with Alhaji Ahmad Murtala Laushi, CEO of Malcolmires Minor Metal Company. He briefed the Senators on the challenges faced by the industry, highlighting that foreign nationals, particularly Chinese investors, are increasingly dominating the mining sector. According to Laushi, this takeover is largely due to local miners’ limited access to funds, resulting in most mining sites being controlled by foreigners who export raw minerals to their countries, thereby depriving Nigeria and Nigerians of potential economic benefits.
The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, Chairman of the Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs in Plateau State, commended the Senate’s efforts, stating that the gesture towards Plateau State is well-deserved given its rich endowment of natural resources.
The royal father, urged the Senate to expedite the establishment of the proposed University of Mining, assuring that the request for additional land for the university would be approved.
The six man member Senate committee on solid minerals development who have been in Jos for the last three days for it oversight function, paid a condolence visit to governor Caleb Mutfwang, over the killings in three local government areas of the state, which claimed over 100 human lives.
