Nasarawa host communities decry influx of Chinese in mining industry
14 November 2024 |
4:04 am
Traditional rulers in Nasarawa have raised concerns over the influx of Chinese in the state, as well as the allocation of mining licences to foreigners at the disadvantage of indigenes.
Traditional rulers in Nasarawa have raised concerns over the influx of Chinese in the state, as well as the allocation of mining licences to foreigners at the disadvantage of indigenes.
They said despite talks by the government to encourage indigenous participation in mining activities, foreigners, especially the Chinese, are granted licences for what most indigenous companies could execute.
A paramount ruler and the Esu of Karu, Luka Baba Panya, made the assertions while speaking on behalf of others at a training programme organised for host communities in the state by Global Rights, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the House Committee on Solid Minerals.
The monarch, who cited the allocation of licences to a Chinese firm for granite crushing, stated that such mining could be easily carried out by indigenous miners, adding that core mining such as iron ore, and copper lithium, among others, could be contracted to foreign firms.
The stakeholders canvassed the need to fully involve them in the issuance of mining licences for transparency and probity. Other issues highlighted by the monarchs include the need to set the right boundaries for miners, defining the roles and responsibilities on beneficial sharing, and legalisation of community social responsibilities.
The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, in his remarks, assured the traditional rulers that he was going to transmit their complaints to the Ministry of Solid Minerals and other relevant agencies, urging them to dissuade their subjects from escalating crisis within their domains.
He said mining offers significant economic opportunities, noting that if not properly managed, it could cause prolonged environmental harm. On her part, the Executive Director of Global Rights, Oluwaseun Bayeiwu, called for legal protection and skills empowerment for host mining communities in the country
She pointed out that mining activities often lead to land degradation, pollution, and threats to cultural heritage, yet many mining communities lack the necessary tools to safeguard their rights.
Bayeiwu urged the government and mining companies to collaborate on initiatives that would empower host communities. Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, Gaza Gbefwi, supported the need for community-centered mining practices.
To achieve this, he disclosed that the committee had submitted a proposal to the cabinet for the reassignment of solid minerals from the Exclusive to the Concurrent list.
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