NASS Summons Minister, Agency Head In Illegal Mining Investigation

The House of Representatives committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering has summoned the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office over alleged lapses in responding to a parliamentary inquiry into illegal mining.

Chairman of the committee Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem, issued the summons on during a resumed meeting of the panel.

According to him both the Ministry and agency had shown insufficient cooperation despite earlier engagements.

“In spite of our friendly approach to these MDAs, particularly the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Mining Cadastre Office, the level of willingness to engage the Committee has not been encouraging,” Abdulraheem said.

He directed the committee secretariat to write both officials to appear on scheduled dates, adding that the panel may also invite the EFCC and other anti-graft bodies.

Abdulraheem said the committee would embark on visits to ministries, departments and agencies under its mandate, and conduct physical inspections of mining sites as part of its work plan.

The committee was mandated by the House to investigate the scale, patterns and actors involved in illegal mineral exploitation nationwide; assess the effectiveness of security agencies deployed to mineral-rich areas; and examine the security and economic implications of illegal mining.

It is also expected to review existing mining laws, probe illicit financial flows linked to illegal mineral extraction, evaluate anti–money laundering controls in the sector and recommend measures to block revenue leakages.

The committee will hold public hearings, engage stakeholders and submit a detailed report with recommendations for legislative, policy, and administrative action.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji