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In a startling revelation during the 2024 budget defense before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Solid Mineral, Mr. Dele Alake, has accused influential Nigerians involved in illegal mining of being linked to other criminal activities, including the sponsorship of banditry and terrorism in the country.
Mr. Alake emphasized that these powerful individuals engaged in illegal mining were not merely gold prospectors but were deeply involved in orchestrating and financing criminal elements within the nation. He stressed that the majority of illegal miners were not foreigners but highlighted that foreigners involved could be seen as symptoms rather than the root cause.
The minister explained, "Nigerians are those powerful people behind them; we are identifying them with both kinetic and non-kinetic means. We have encouraged those petty illegal miners to form cooperatives."
Highlighting a particularly concerning aspect of the situation, Mr. Alake pointed out that many foreigners engaged in illegal mining in the country lacked proper immigration documentation.
To address the issue and ensure that mining operations contribute significantly to the country's revenue, the minister emphasized the necessity of establishing a formal structure akin to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd. This, he believes, would enable multinational entities to engage with a regulated and organized framework for mining activities.
The allegations raised by the Minister of Solid Mineral shed light on the intricate challenges surrounding illegal mining in Nigeria and its potential connections to broader criminal activities. The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals is expected to further probe into these claims and explore potential solutions during the ongoing budget defense sessions.
