By Mercy Aikoye
The Chairman of the Committee on Minerals Resources Hon. Gaza Jonathan has said that the Mining act of 2007 currently being considered for repeal is necessary to transform the mining sector.
Hon. Gaza who made this known today during a public hearing at the national assembly noted that the proposed legislation has become necessary to empower the sector to be an employee of itself and address environmental issues.
According to the Chairman, a situation where mining activities carried out is able to ensure 5% of whatever is extracted is given to host communities, Nigeria will experience astronomical growth.
In their submission, one of the stakeholders Mr Tobias Lengs of RENEVLYN Development Initiative decried the health hazard, the environmental degradation and negligence of the miners that pose a danger to host communities while the representative of Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) and Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) canvassed for a 10% benefit or more for host communities.
These were some of the recommendations of various stakeholders who participated the public hearing of repeal and enactment of a bill titled “Nigeria Mineral Development Company Limited (Establishment) bill 2023 and Minerals and Mining” organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals chaired by Rep. Jonathan Gweffi Gaza (SDP, Nasarawa).
