“When It Comes To Mining Matters, The Host Communities Should Be Given Adequate Consideration” – Kogi MIREMCO Boss

By: Maymunah Ahuoiza Zubair

Chairman of the Kogi State chapter of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee, MIREMCO, Hajiya Hassiat Ozavize Suleiman, has called for more inclusion of host Communities on issues bordering on solid minerals and mining across the Country.

Hajiya Hassiat made the call at the two-day public hearing on several Bills and Motion on Solid Mineral Development at the National Assembly, Abuja.

While speaking in support of the Solid Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission Establishment Bill 2021 sponsored by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Sen. Yakubu Oseni, she said the Commission when created would help reposition the importance of host Communities in the sector.

Hajiya Ozavize Suleiman, who doubles as the Chairman, Kogi State Mineral Resources Agency, opined that to bring to the barest minimum or eradicate conflicts between miners and host Communities, compensation, community development agreement, inclusiveness, making host communities shareholders in mining ventures in their communities, amongst others, should be accorded more attention, stressing that such will go a long way at creating harmonious relations between mining companies and the host Communities.

She pointed out that various issues militating against cohesive and sustainable development of mineral producing areas like Kogi State, including the lack of definitive and decentralized data of minerals across the local governments areas of the Country, would be better streamlined when the bill is passed.

The Bill is one of several under appraisal including Nigerian Minerals Development Corporation Establishment Bill 2021, Management Establishment Bill 2021, Explosive Act 1964 Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2021 and the urgent need to investigate the loss of 9 billion dollars annually, due to illegal mining and smuggling of gold.

The hearing was hosted by ??????? ????? ??-??????, Chairman Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy as well as other members of his Committee.

Senate President, Sen. ????? ??????? ?????, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development ??. ???? ????, as well as other relevant stakeholders in the sector, attended the event.