The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the rise in illegal mining in the country, saying host communities now live in agonising conditions.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said this at the investigation hearing of the joint committee on illegal mining in Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

He said the rise in illegal mining highlights the country’s fundamental social, institutional and structural problems.

Mr Abbas added that the investigation was to provide enough guidance on curbing the menace of illegal mining.

He said that the aim was to also assess the role played by the regulators in the process of their regulatory functions as it relates to mining practices.

“The decision of the House of Representatives to investigate illegal mining shows our commitment and determination to take decisive steps towards addressing nefarious mining practices and the non-compliance with set standards in the solid minerals sector, including the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment) bill and the Nigeria Solid Mineral Development Company (Establishment) bill,” he said.

Mr Abbas said this was before the House, and a public hearing would soon be held.

He said the investigative hearing was critical in light of the fact that various communities where mining is taking place in Nigeria live in agonising conditions, both economically and socially.

“These communities have faced years of neglect, various deprivations and severe environmental degradation and air and water pollution arising from unsafe mining practices by illegal miners,” the speaker said.

Jonathan Gaza, the House Committee on Solid Minerals chairman, said the investigative hearing was imperative to allow for transparency and accountability.

He stated that this was to allow public participation, facilitate policy formation and identify challenges and solutions that would ultimately revamp the nation’s solid mineral sector.

According to him, the unregulated exploitation of natural resources jeopardises the sustainability of the mineral sector.

Mr Gaza said this leads to environmental degradation and revenue losses that could otherwise benefit communities and the nation.

(NAN)