By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has warned quarry operators in Nigeria that it will recommend the revocation of their mining licenses if they fail to comply with the law and honour legislative summons. The Committee’s Chairman, Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, issued the warning at an investigative hearing into the activities of mining companies in Nigeria.
Beyond recommending the suspension of operational licenses for defaulting firms, the Committee may be compelled to push for the outright revocation of such licenses. This warning follows the Committee’s discovery of several quarry operators who have refused to honour its invitations, citing their actions as a flagrant disregard for the laws of the land.
The Committee has specifically ordered Arab Contractors and Omatek to present all relevant documents authorizing their quarry operations or shut down immediately. This directive is coming on the heels of an oversight visit by the Committee to several quarry sites in the Federal Capital Territory, which exposed a deplorable state of affairs.
The Committee discovered that many quarry operators have failed to fulfill their community development obligations. This has led to host communities being subjected to inhumane conditions and denied the benefits promised under signed agreements. The Committee has emphasized the need for companies to adhere to their obligations and ensure that host communities benefit from their operations.
While welcoming foreign investment in Nigeria, the Committee has made it clear that it will not tolerate situations where host communities are exploited. The Committee noted that many foreign companies, particularly those from China, have technical staff residing in Nigeria, while their Managing Directors and senior executives remain in their home countries.
The Committee has also discovered that some companies, including Arab Contractors, are operating illegal quarry sites without securing the required approvals from relevant authorities. This has raised concerns about the regulatory framework governing the mining sector and the need for stricter enforcement.
The Committee will continue to monitor the activities of quarry operators in Nigeria and take necessary actions to ensure compliance with the law. The threat of license revocation is a clear indication of the Committee’s commitment to ensuring that companies operate responsibly and adhere to their obligations.
The warning issued by the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals is a wake-up call for quarry operators in Nigeria to comply with the law and honour their obligations. The Committee’s actions demonstrate its commitment to protecting the rights of host communities and ensuring that companies operate responsibly.
