Reps panel summons Dele Alake, mining cadastre DG over ‘illegal’ solid mineral exploitation
Reps panel summons Dele Alake, mining cadastre DG over ‘illegal’ solid mineral exploitation
The house of representatives committee on mineral exploitation, security and anti-money laundering has summoned Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, to appear before its probe panel.
The green chamber also summoned Obadiah Nkom, the director-general of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office.
Sanni Abdulraheem, chairman of the committee, issued the directive on Thursday at the resumed interactive session with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in Abuja.
Abdulraheem said the two agencies central to the investigation had not shown the expected willingness to engage with the committee.
“In spite of the friendly approach to some MDAs, particularly the two government organisations that are central to this exercise, the ministry of solid minerals and the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, didn’t give much desired willingness to receive the committee,” he said.
“However, the committee has directed the secretariat to write the minister and DG of Nigeria Mining Cadastre to appear before the committee on scheduled dates for each of the two organisations, if possible, with EFCC and other anti-graft agencies.”
The lawmaker said the panel is mandated to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the scale, actors and patterns of illegal mineral exploitation nationwide.
He said the probe would also identify the causes, consequences, and extent of associated revenue losses.
The committee, Abdulraheem said, would also examine the roles and challenges of security agencies deployed to mineral-bearing areas, including the NSCDC, mining marshals and other formations.
According to the politician, the probe would assess their capacity to secure mining sites and protect national assets.
He said the panel would “investigate the security implications of illegal mining activities, including their links to organised crime, communal conflicts, environmental degradation, and threats to national stability”.
In addition, he said the panel would appraise the legal and regulatory framework governing mineral exploitation to identify gaps, overlaps, and enforcement weaknesses
The lawmaker said the group will also “probe the financial flows associated with illegal mineral extraction”, including how proceeds are laundered, concealed or transferred.
He said the exercise would identify the roles of individuals, networks and institutions enabling illicit transactions.
Abdulraheem said the committee would develop strategies to block revenue leakages and enhance transparency in the minerals value chain.
The legislator said the findings would help ensure mineral exploitation contributes legitimately to national development.
He said the committee would “conduct public hearings and stakeholder engagements to gather evidence, facilitate transparency, and build national consensus on measures to address illegal Mining and its attendant security and financial risks”.
The politician also said the committee would “submit a detailed report to the house within the stipulated time frame, containing findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations for legislative, policy, administrative and security interventions
