The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, yesterday, called for an urgent review of the mining consent process, citing a surge in complaints about agreement issues within the licensing procedures.

It emphasised that poorly managed consent agreements would create conflicts that could escalate and threaten local stability.

The committee, which was led by its Chairman, Jonathan Gaza, disclosed this in Abuja, during an oversight visit to the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) headquarters, where he raised concerns about potential risks to staff welfare and insufficient oversight.

The lawmakers stressed that improving working conditions and oversight measures within the MCO could reduce the lapses.

The committee proposed that each state should have designated officers to verify consent agreements and collaborate with local land departments to minimise overlap and potential conflicts.

He said: “Issue of consent in your licensing process, as a committee, we have been bombarded with complaints with regards to the issue of consent as a committee, and I want to create your indulgence that you look within and see how you can review the aspect that has to do with consent.

“Consent, if not well managed, disputes arising from consent can lead to a breakdown of law and order, and we already have one or two of these things happening in some places.

“Secondly, it can give room for sharp practices within your staff, which are things you must take. You must take particular note of that on one hand. Secondly, I’m so surprised when I see the number of licenses issued. Meanwhile, you still have illegal miners. I mean, it’s quite it’s quite mind bubble.”

Responding, MCO’s Director-General, Obadiah Simon Nkom, attributed recent revenue increases to improvements in transparency, enforcement, and digitalisation.

NO fewer than 13 persons have been killed in a collapsed mining site in Bassa Local Council of Plateau State.

Council chairman, Dr Joshua Riti, confirmed this to newsmen yesterday in Jos.

Riti, who expressed sadness over the deaths, said the incident occurred last Saturday.

The crashed mining site is located at the boundaries between Bassa, Jos South and Jos North council areas.

He said seven of the deceased hailed from Bassa local council.