By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed two Executive Bills for Second Reading and adopted r...
The Niger State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed two Executive Bills for Second Reading and adopted resolutions calling for urgent action to address the environmental and public health hazards associated with gold ore crushing, as well as the establishment of agricultural processing hubs across the state.
The resolutions followed deliberations during plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Barr. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji.
One of the major issues considered by the lawmakers was a Matter of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by the member representing Paikoro Constituency, Hon. Pharm. Nasir Umar, who drew attention to the health and environmental dangers posed by gold ore crushing in mining communities.
According to Umar, although Niger State is richly endowed with solid minerals, particularly gold, the growing practice of crushing gold-bearing rocks within residential areas without adequate environmental safeguards has become a serious public health concern.
He explained that prolonged exposure to silica-containing dust generated during the excavation, crushing, washing and processing of gold ore could cause respiratory diseases such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis-related complications and lung cancer.
The lawmaker further noted that mining dust contaminates food, drinking water, household items and farmlands, exposing residents to environmental pollution, increasing healthcare costs and reducing productivity and quality of life, especially among children, the elderly and persons with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Citing Section 17 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Umar urged the House to call on the relevant authorities to take immediate action to safeguard the health and welfare of affected communities.
Lawmakers unanimously supported the motion, describing the environmental and health implications of unregulated mining activities as a growing concern that requires urgent government intervention.
In his remarks, Speaker Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji acknowledged that mining falls under the Exclusive Legislative List but stressed that the House has a constitutional responsibility to advocate policies that protect lives and the environment.
He clarified that the motion was not intended to legislate on mining but to draw attention to the environmental and public health consequences arising from mining activities.
Following deliberations, the House adopted all the prayers contained in the motion, urging the Ministries of Mineral Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Health, and other relevant agencies to immediately undertake a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and public health impacts of gold ore crushing across mining communities in the state.
The lawmakers also called on the Executive Arm of Government to strengthen the enforcement of environmental health regulations by establishing designated gold ore processing centres equipped with modern dust-suppression and pollution-control facilities away from residential settlements.
The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mallam Farouq Umar Isah, to transmit the resolutions to the Executive Arm of Government, with copies to the Ministries of Health and Mineral Resources for immediate action.
The Assembly also considered two Executive Bills during the sitting.
The first, A Bill for a Law to Establish the Niger State Urban Development Board, 2023, passed Second Reading and was referred to the House Committee on Lands and Housing for further legislative scrutiny.
Similarly, A Bill for a Law to Amend the Niger State Traffic Management Agency Law, 2021, to make additional provisions relating to the office of the Director-General of the Agency and other connected matters, also scaled Second Reading and was referred to the House Committee on Transportation for further consideration.
Meanwhile, the House adopted a substantive motion sponsored by the member representing Gbako Constituency, Hon. Yahaya Abubakar Ahmadu, calling on the Executive Arm of Government to establish agricultural processing hubs in key agricultural zones across Niger State.
Leading the debate, Ahmadu described agriculture as the backbone of the state's economy and the primary source of livelihood for a large segment of the population.
He noted that despite Niger State's position as one of Nigeria's leading producers of rice, yam, cassava, beans, maize, millet and sorghum, farmers continue to suffer significant post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage, preservation, processing and marketing facilities.
According to him, establishing strategically located agricultural processing hubs would improve value addition, enhance market access, stimulate agro-industrial development, attract private investment, create employment opportunities and boost the state's internally generated revenue.
Members unanimously endorsed the motion and urged the Executive Arm of Government to establish the processing hubs as part of efforts to strengthen the agricultural value chain, reduce post-harvest losses and promote sustainable economic development.
The Speaker subsequently directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the resolutions of the House to the Executive Arm of Government for necessary action.
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