By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced plans to send an executive bill titled "Responsi...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced plans to send an executive bill titled "Responsible Mining" to the State Assembly. The bill aims to regulate and improve mining activities across the state.
Governor Bago disclosed this while receiving the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, led by its Chairman, Senator Ekong Sampson, at his official residence in Government House, Minna.
According to Governor Bago, the bill, when passed, will establish guidelines for mining practices to eliminate irregularities in the sector. The State Government has held a series of meetings with industry stakeholders on the proposed bill, which also addresses post-mining environmental impacts, among other concerns.
He condemned the activities of artisanal miners in the state, citing that their practices have led to loss of life and property, as well as increased incidents of banditry. The governor also expressed appreciation for the Senate Committee's visit, reaffirming the state's commitment to collaborating with the committee to achieve its objectives. He noted that discussions with the Federal Government are ongoing to secure an aggregation license to better regulate young, illegal miners.
Governor Bago further advocated for removing mining from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List in the Constitution, enabling state-level governance of mining activities.
In response, Senator Ekong Sampson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, outlined the committee's mandate to investigate the root causes of mining sector issues. This follows a motion by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District, in response to a recent mining collapse in the state.
Senator Sampson commended Senator Musa for raising the motion and highlighted the need for improved safety in the mining industry, stressing that the Senate Committee is committed to implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. He also conveyed the Senate's condolences to the Niger State Government for the lives lost in the recent mining site collapse.
In his remarks, Senator Musa emphasized the significant losses associated with illegal mining and described the sector as a potential source of revenue for the state. He noted, however, that inadequate safety measures and regulatory procedures have prevented the industry from reaching its full potential.
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