. As miners association kicks against planned ban
The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has allayed concerns of registered miners across Nigeria regarding the Federal Government’s proposed ban on mining activities to stem rising insecurity.
This was contained in a statement signed by Director (Press & PR), Mrs Etore Efiom Thomas.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, MMSD has been drawn to media reports on the Federal Government’s proposed ban on motorcycles and mining activities in various mining sites as part of its effort towards curbing terrorism and ensuring stability and security in the country.
“For purposes of clarity, mineral resources remain on the Exclusive Legislative list as enshrined in the 1999 constitution (as amended). Section 44(3) states.
“The entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in, under or upon any land in Nigeria or in, under or upon the territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone of Nigeria shall vest in the government of the federation and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.”
“Likewise, the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 is very clear on the issue of minerals ownership and exploitation – Section 1(1) ‘The entire property in and control of all Mineral Resources in, under or upon any land in Nigeria, its contiguous continental shelf and all rivers, streams and water courses throughout Nigeria, any area covered by its territorial waters or constituency and the Exclusive Economic Zone is and shall be vested in the Government of the Federation for and on behalf of the people of Nigeria’.”
The ban is only succeeding in keeping the legitimate mines owners away from their concessions and declaring the field free for illegal operators to occupy and pillory with the sponsorship of foreign nationals and local chiefs.
Miners speak out
The clarification comes as the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that banning mining activities in the country will be counterproductive and capable of worsening the insecurity situation.
A statement issued on Saturday by the National Secretary, MAN, Dele Ayanleke, said such a decision would further explode the labour market and enlarge the reserves for the recruitment of more bandits and criminals in the country.
Besides, the miners noted that the ban would ruin the Federal Government’s plan of diversifying the economy through the mining sector.
They argued that “Stigmatising an important economic hub such as the mining industry and criminalising it as a scape-goat will be counterproductive and we have reasons for this assertion.
“At the inception of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari included in the economic blueprint was an agenda to diversify the economy from Oil and Gas and broaden the economic space using mining and agriculture as pivots,” he said.
He said for the past three years, mining activities had been under ban in Zamfara and Katsina states.
“The victims of the purported ban are the identifiable and traceable owners of the mines with extant mining titles obtained from the appropriate authorities and remitting annual service and royalties to the government’s purse.
“The fact is that the regulatory and security agencies lack both human and logistics capacities to enforce the ban.
“The ban is only succeeding in keeping the legitimate mines owners away from their concessions and declaring the field free for illegal operators to occupy and pillory with the sponsorship of foreign nationals and local chiefs.”
Ayanleke said the purported ban of the gold rich mining fields of Zamfara had been the revenue source fuelling the increasing waves of insecurity in the Northwest.
“It is on this note that as partners in the Nigeria project and major industry players, we feel obliged to offer some patriotic tips toward finding solutions to national security, especially around the mining corridors.
“We encourage our security agencies to up their trade in intelligence policing. There are unconfirmed reports from our members in the affected states noticing high level movements into the purported banned minefields, including air movements that are not for surveillance missions.”
The policy of 100% ownership of mining assets by foreign nationals should be urgently reviewed.
Official collusion
Ayanleke also urged that security searchlights be beamed on some high profile personnel in the country.
“The reported dethronement and prosecution of some high ranking traditional rulers in recent times should serve as enough pointers to this piece of advice.
“The policy of 100% ownership of mining assets by foreign nationals should be urgently reviewed. Experience has shown that foreigners are the major targets of the kidnappers and their presence in mining locations are major incentives to the increasing rate of kidnappings and killings around mining sites.
“These criminals are always ready to waste as many lives as identified as obstacles to their targets; the Shiroro massacre also comes in handy to illustrate this point.”
He noted that the rate at which Chinese nationals flood Nigeria’s minefields these days looking for every ounce of lithium mineral “is very alarming.”
“The issue of Chinese hunting for our lithium is an issue for another day, which we intend to take up with the government through the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
“Without prejudice to the rights and privileges of any national under various bilateral and multilateral treaties and charters to which Nigeria is a signatory, we recommend that the movements of foreign nationals be restricted to urban centres.
“Their movement should be restricted to urban centres in this period of security emergency; partnership with indigenous players should be encouraged and strengthened to oversee their joint investments.
He called on the government and all security agencies to deploy the same security measures being employed in the oil and gas sector to the solid minerals sector to save the industry and its operators.
