Hasty review of Nigeria’s Mining Act dangerous to host communities – Urban Alert

A non-governmental organisation, Urban Alert, has said the hasty review of Nigeria’s Mining Act could result in more troubles for many mining communities in the country.

The Communications Associate of Urban Alert
Titilade Alayande, made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday in Osogbo.

Alayande said the need for proper input of all stakeholders in the sector would be of great advantage, especially in areas of strategic and policy decisions which could benefit the host communities.

He said that the in-depth contribution of local communities, Civil Society Organizations and other key stakeholders would help prioritise rights of the host communities.

“Over the years, Civil Society Organizations and mining host communities have clamoured for the review of the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act 2007 due to its obsolete nature, the current happenings in the mining sector nationwide and its wide margin with global mining standards.

“The sudden readiness of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and the Federal Government in reviewing the 2007 Act without proper input of all stakeholders could be another foundation of troubles for mining host communities in Nigeria.

“I want to say that for a prosperous mining industry and safer communities, key players should be willing to bring host communities, CSOs and other stakeholders together,” he said.

According to him, the government should not to rush the review process so as to avoid passing a law that would not address realities of extractive industry and the global mining standard.

“For a prosperous mining industry and safer communities, the Federal Government must be willing to bring the states, local communities, CSOs and other stakeholders together to have a law that will end the sense of alienation and disconnect that the current law reflects. This cannot be done in less than two months,” he stressed.