Nasarawa State House of Assembly has set in motion mechanism aimed at regulating the issuance of mining consents to companies wishing to explore various mineral deposits in the state.
The bill to that effect has scaled second reading at the plenary on Tuesday.
Tagged, “A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Regulation and Control of Issuance of Land Consent and
Community Agreements to Mining Entities by Mining Communities and other Matters Related Thereto” the document also aimed to control illegal mining in the state.
Speaking on the matter, the speaker, Danladi Jatau said that the House is taking measures to regulate the issuance of mining consents by traditional and community leaders to mining companies in order to address conflicts and other negative issues surrounding the process.
The sponsor of the bill Mr. Daniel Ogazi (APC, Kokona East) who spoke on the substance of the document said the bill would ensure that mining consents are given through approved authorities, end the proliferation of illegal mining, address conflicts associated with land ownership, ensures that mining communities are developed, and end insecurity among others.
In their various contributions, the deputy speaker, Mr. Muhammad Oyanki; House leader, Mr. Suleiman Azara spoke in support of the bill which they said is desirable and cogent.
Also in support of the bill include Mrs. Hajarat Danyaro, Mr. Baba Ali, Mr. Ven-Bawa, Mr. Musa Ekye, Mr. Solomon AKwashiki, Mr. Musa Gude, Mr. Onarigu Kana and Mr. Muhammed Omadefu respectively.
They frowned at a situation where the fate of mining communities is left in the hands of foreign miners.
They observed that if the bill sees the light of the day, mining communities will develop and insecurity will be curtailed.
They advocated the full involvement of ministries of land and survey, environment and the judiciary in agreements with the miners and the host communities.
They suggested that percentage of funds for the development of mining communities should be outlined and adequately pegged.
The speaker after deliberations, referred the bill to the House Standing Committee on Environment to do a thorough job considering its importance and report to the House on 14th October, 2024.